How much does a food preparation worker make in Worcester?
$36,550a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Worcester, MA metro area. That is $17.57 an hour or $3,046 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.57
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 71 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 1,390
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,990Median: $36,550Highest 10%: $47,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,990 | $15.38 | |
| 25th | $34,990 | $16.82 | |
| Median | $36,550 | $17.57 | |
| 75th | $41,490 | $19.95 | |
| 90th | $47,400 | $22.79 |
Other cities in Massachusetts
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Amherst Town, MA | $40,140 |
| Boston, MA | $39,660 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $38,660 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $36,930 |
| Providence, RI | $36,250 |
| Springfield, MA | $36,020 |
Related jobs in Worcester
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $64,620 |
| Cook | $46,780 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,500 |
| Cook | $44,250 |
| Cook | $40,780 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,840 |
| Cook | $36,770 |
| Dishwasher | $36,660 |
| Bartender | $35,950 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,870 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Worcester?
The median hourly pay in the Worcester, MA metro area is $17.57 ($36,550 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Worcester than the national average?
Yes: $36,550 against $35,320 nationally, 3% more.
How does Worcester compare with the rest of Massachusetts?
The median in Massachusetts is $38,900, so Worcester pays 6% less.
Where does Worcester rank for food preparation worker pay?
71 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Worcester?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,990 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,400 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.