How much does a food preparation worker make in Waterbury?
$36,580a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area. That is $17.59 an hour or $3,048 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.59
- Vs. national median
- +4%
- Rank among cities
- 68 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 1,430
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,010Median: $36,580Highest 10%: $42,510
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,010 | $16.35 | |
| 25th | $35,750 | $17.19 | |
| Median | $36,580 | $17.59 | |
| 75th | $37,510 | $18.03 | |
| 90th | $42,510 | $20.44 |
Other cities in Connecticut
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Bridgeport, CT | $37,820 |
| New Haven, CT | $36,970 |
| Norwich, CT | $36,200 |
| Hartford, CT | $35,860 |
Related jobs in Waterbury
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,080 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $51,220 |
| Cook | $44,780 |
| Cook | $44,110 |
| Cook | $38,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $38,140 |
| Bartender | $37,290 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,890 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $34,850 |
| Food Server | $34,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Waterbury?
The median hourly pay in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $17.59 ($36,580 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Waterbury than the national average?
Yes: $36,580 against $35,320 nationally, 4% more.
How does Waterbury compare with the rest of Connecticut?
The median in Connecticut is $36,650, so Waterbury pays 0% more.
Where does Waterbury rank for food preparation worker pay?
68 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Waterbury?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,010 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,510 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.