How much does a food preparation worker make in Tucson?
$35,260a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Tucson, AZ metro area. That is $16.95 an hour or $2,938 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.95
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 117 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 2,350
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $30,800Median: $35,260Highest 10%: $42,330
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,800 | $14.81 | |
| 25th | $31,870 | $15.32 | |
| Median | $35,260 | $16.95 | |
| 75th | $36,880 | $17.73 | |
| 90th | $42,330 | $20.35 |
Other cities in Arizona
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Flagstaff, AZ | $37,710 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $37,580 |
| Yuma, AZ | $35,390 |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $35,180 |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $35,090 |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $33,610 |
Related jobs in Tucson
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $49,990 |
| Cook | $38,800 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,200 |
| Cook | $37,620 |
| Cook | $37,500 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,490 |
| Bartender | $36,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $36,090 |
| Cook | $36,080 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $34,990 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Tucson?
The median hourly pay in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $16.95 ($35,260 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Tucson than the national average?
Yes: $35,260 against $35,320 nationally, 0% more.
How does Tucson compare with the rest of Arizona?
The median in Arizona is $36,750, so Tucson pays 4% less.
Where does Tucson rank for food preparation worker pay?
117 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Tucson?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,800 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,330 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.