How much does a food preparation worker make in Traverse City?
$31,980a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Traverse City, MI metro area. That is $15.38 an hour or $2,665 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.38
- Vs. national median
- -9%
- Rank among cities
- 212 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 400
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,570Median: $31,980Highest 10%: $42,860
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,570 | $12.77 | |
| 25th | $27,590 | $13.26 | |
| Median | $31,980 | $15.38 | |
| 75th | $36,040 | $17.33 | |
| 90th | $42,860 | $20.61 |
Other cities in Michigan
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Ann Arbor, MI | $34,100 |
| Detroit, MI | $33,060 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $31,920 |
| Flint, MI | $31,510 |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $31,410 |
| Jackson, MI | $31,120 |
| Muskegon, MI | $30,100 |
| Monroe, MI | $30,060 |
| South Bend, IN | $29,970 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $29,650 |
| Niles, MI | $29,640 |
| Lansing, MI | $29,340 |
| Saginaw, MI | $28,960 |
| Bay City, MI | $28,790 |
| Midland, MI | $27,290 |
Related jobs in Traverse City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,000 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,030 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $41,380 |
| Cook | $38,780 |
| Bartender | $37,300 |
| Cook | $37,270 |
| Cook | $36,090 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,650 |
| Food Server | $35,070 |
| Dishwasher | $31,130 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Traverse City?
The median hourly pay in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $15.38 ($31,980 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Traverse City than the national average?
No: $31,980 against $35,320 nationally, 9% less.
How does Traverse City compare with the rest of Michigan?
The median in Michigan is $31,180, so Traverse City pays 3% more.
Where does Traverse City rank for food preparation worker pay?
212 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Traverse City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,570 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,860 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.