Quick answer
The median annual wage for food preparation workers in the US was $35,320 in May 2025 (mean $35,290), with 893,600 people employed, per BLS. Among states, Washington paid the highest median ($40,910) and Guam the lowest ($21,820).
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| State | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 | $42,660 | 19510 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 | $41,350 | 3970 |
| California | $39,350 | $41,480 | 112750 |
| Colorado | $38,960 | $40,210 | 12080 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 | $41,030 | 13620 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 | $41,670 | 5950 |
| Oregon | $37,450 | $39,510 | 11860 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 | $36,210 | 980 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 | $36,440 | 3420 |
| Arizona | $36,750 | $37,810 | 16590 |
| Connecticut | $36,650 | $39,290 | 12250 |
| Vermont | $36,550 | $38,850 | 1350 |
| Wyoming | $36,110 | $35,210 | 1620 |
| Maine | $36,030 | $37,470 | 4560 |
| Delaware | $35,930 | $36,360 | 2400 |
| Florida | $35,920 | $35,210 | 73100 |
| Alaska | $35,720 | $37,230 | 2800 |
| New York | $35,610 | $38,310 | 62380 |
| New Jersey | $35,540 | $37,680 | 24730 |
| Maryland | $35,500 | $37,090 | 13280 |
| Rhode Island | $35,470 | $37,910 | 2830 |
| Georgia | $35,250 | $33,970 | 26450 |
| Nebraska | $35,210 | $34,880 | 6890 |
| Virginia | $34,900 | $34,930 | 16340 |
| Illinois | $34,850 | $36,260 | 34820 |
| Minnesota | $34,850 | $35,610 | 24620 |
| Ohio | $34,530 | $34,560 | 19480 |
| Wisconsin | $34,070 | $34,000 | 17990 |
| Montana | $33,860 | $33,700 | 2990 |
| Utah | $33,540 | $34,580 | 10530 |
| Nevada | $33,460 | $36,290 | 11420 |
| New Mexico | $33,370 | $32,880 | 6850 |
| South Carolina | $32,180 | $32,300 | 14460 |
| Missouri | $31,510 | $34,040 | 13650 |
| Idaho | $31,510 | $32,380 | 4670 |
| Michigan | $31,180 | $32,720 | 17380 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,840 | $31,880 | 17940 |
| Texas | $30,650 | $32,120 | 81280 |
| Virgin Islands | $30,460 | $30,160 | 390 |
| South Dakota | $30,430 | $31,630 | 3270 |
| Iowa | $30,360 | $32,080 | 4170 |
| Kansas | $30,280 | $31,460 | 7680 |
| North Carolina | $30,260 | $31,270 | 24960 |
| Indiana | $29,700 | $31,560 | 16200 |
| Tennessee | $28,700 | $30,860 | 19780 |
| Oklahoma | $28,540 | $28,710 | 7430 |
| West Virginia | $28,360 | $28,450 | 2960 |
| Alabama | $27,930 | $28,460 | 17680 |
| Arkansas | $27,660 | $29,460 | 5500 |
| Kentucky | $26,850 | $28,760 | 15390 |
| Mississippi | $26,240 | $26,750 | 7870 |
| Louisiana | $23,620 | $25,580 | 30920 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,400 | $23,720 | 4130 |
| Guam | $21,820 | $22,470 | 530 |
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Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.