The median pay for Food Preparation Workers is $35,320 a year ($16.98/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 3.0% through 2035, with about 135,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 35-2021
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Food Preparation Worker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $35,320a year, or $16.98/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $26KTop 10% $45K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -3.0%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 135,700908,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025908.5K
- Projected 2035881.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 908.5K Projected 2035 881.3K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school2.7%
- High school69.5%
- Certificate1.2%
- Some college22.4%
- Doctorate4.2%
Highest education held by food preparation workers Segment Value Less than high school 2.7% High school 69.5% Certificate 1.2% Some college 22.4% Doctorate 4.2%
Also advertised as: Cook, Cook Aide, Deli Clerk (Delicatessen Clerk), Diet Aide, Dietary Aide, Food Prep (Food Preparer).
Pay
How much do food preparation workers make?
Food Preparation Workers earn a median of $35,320 a year ($16.98 an hour, or about $2,940 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $25,810 and the top 10% more than $45,340 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is Washington, with a median of $40,910. See Food preparation worker salary in Washington and every other state. By city, pay is highest around Kahului ($48,150 average): salary in every city.
Every food preparation worker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$35,320
Middle half earn $29,950 to $38,550
- 10th
- $25,810
- 25th
- $29,950
- 75th
- $38,550
- 90th
- $45,340
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $25,810 |
| 25th | $29,950 |
| Median | $35,320 |
| 75th | $38,550 |
| 90th | $45,340 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $35,320
- Median hourly wage
- $16.98/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $35,290
- People employed
- 893,600
Versus all US occupations
At $35,320, Food Preparation Workers earn 31% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,660 a year.
Versus food preparation and serving related occupations
The median is typical for the Food Preparation and Serving Related group, where the middle occupation pays $35,360.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $45,340 or more while the bottom 10% earn $25,810, a gap of 1.8×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 1% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($40,910), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $41,367 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay food preparation workers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $40,910 | $38,229 | 19,510 |
| 2District of Columbia | $39,600 | $36,032 | 3,970 |
| 3California | $39,350 | $35,540 | 112,750 |
| 4Colorado | $38,960 | $37,806 | 12,080 |
| 5Massachusetts | $38,900 | $36,782 | 13,620 |
| 6Hawaii | $38,160 | $34,706 | 5,950 |
| 7Oregon | $37,450 | $36,232 | 11,860 |
| 8North Dakota | $36,800 | $41,367 | 980 |
| 9New Hampshire | $36,780 | $35,309 | 3,420 |
| 10Arizona | $36,750 | $36,503 | 16,590 |
Job outlook
Is food preparation worker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -3.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Food Preparation Workers | −3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Food Preparation Workers to change -3.0% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 27,200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 135,700 openings are projected each year, 14.9% of the 908,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Restaurants and cafeterias may customize their food orders from wholesalers and distributors in an effort to lower costs. For example, they may order prewashed, precut, or preseasoned ingredients, which is expected to reduce the need for food preparation workers. Additionally, some establishments prefer to employ fast food and counter workers, who both prepare and serve food to customers, which also may reduce the need for food preparation workers.
AI exposure: low
BLS places this occupation in its low relative AI exposure category, among the occupations least exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a food preparation worker
Food preparation workers typically do not need a formal educational credential or previous work experience to enter the occupation. They learn their job tasks through on-the-job training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as food preparation workers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)69.5%
- Some College Courses22.4%
- Doctoral Degree4.2%
- Less than a High School Diploma2.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate1.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 69.5% |
| Some College Courses | 22.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 4.2% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 2.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 1.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a food preparation worker do?
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
Food preparation workers perform a variety of tasks other than cooking. Their duties include preparing cold foods, slicing meat, peeling and cutting vegetables, brewing coffee or tea, and doing many other food service tasks.
Day-to-day tasks
- Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
- Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
- Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
- Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
- Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.
- Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.
- Weigh or measure ingredients.
- Scrape leftovers from dishes into garbage containers.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Part-time work is common for food preparation workers. Work schedules may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, or holidays.
Those in school cafeterias may have more regular schedules and may work only during the academic year, usually 9 or 10 months. In establishments that offer seasonal employment, food preparation workers may be hired for only a few months each year.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayConflict situations are rare.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where food preparation workers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Food services and drinking places55%
- Grocery and specialty food retailers21%
- Healthcare and social assistance6%
- Educational services; state, local, and private4%
- General merchandise retailers3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Food services and drinking places | 55% |
| Grocery and specialty food retailers | 21% |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 6% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 4% |
| General merchandise retailers | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking2.9
- Critical Thinking2.8
- Reading Comprehension2.6
- Monitoring2.5
- Mathematics2.0
- Active Learning2.0
- Learning Strategies2.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 2.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.6 |
| Monitoring | 2.5 |
| Mathematics | 2.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.6
- Judgment and Decision Making2.4
- Quality Control Analysis2.1
- Persuasion2.0
- Instructing2.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.4 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.1 |
| Persuasion | 2.0 |
| Instructing | 2.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Computer based training software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Video creation and editing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a food preparation worker?
Women make up 56.8% of food preparation workers, against 47.1% of all employed people: more women than in the workforce as a whole.
18.7% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 30.7 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 56.8%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 30.7All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 18.7%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 930,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of food preparation workers | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 56.8% | 47.1% |
| White | 72.5% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 17.3% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 5.7% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 30.6% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 18.7% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 39.6% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a food preparation worker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Food Preparation Worker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.4
- Conventional4.2
- Social2.7
- Enterprising2.2
- Artistic1.9
- Investigative1.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Food Preparation Worker
O*NET related occupations
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Production
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper
$33,980median a year
Most earn $21K to $47K
+5.3%No formal credential
More food preparation and serving related careers
Median annual pay, with food preparation workers highlighted
- Chef$62,470
- Corporate Executive Chef$62,470
- Food Preparation Worker$35,320
- Server$35,230
- Bartender$34,340
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper$33,980
- Barista$31,200
- Fast Food and Counter Worker$31,200
- Host and Hostess, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$31,200
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chef | $62,470 |
| Corporate Executive Chef | $62,470 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,320 |
| Server | $35,230 |
| Bartender | $34,340 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $33,980 |
| Barista | $31,200 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $31,200 |
| Host and Hostess, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Food Preparation Worker appears on
Questions
Food Preparation Worker: frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation workers make?
Food Preparation Workers earn a median of $35,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 31% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $16.98/hr. The middle half earn between $29,950 and $38,550. The top 10% earn $45,340 or more.
How much do food preparation workers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers is $16.98 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $35,320 annual median works out to about $2,940 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a food preparation worker?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of food preparation workers earn less than $25,810 a year and the bottom quarter less than $29,950 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Which states pay food preparation workers the most?
The highest state medians for Food Preparation Workers are Washington ($40,910), District of Columbia ($39,600), California ($39,350) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $41,367.
What kind of food preparation worker earns the most?
BLS does not split food preparation workers' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $45,340, against a median of $35,320 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are Washington ($40,910), District of Columbia ($39,600), California ($39,350).
Do you need a degree to become a food preparation worker?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Food Preparation Workers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as some preparation. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 69.5% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
How long does it take to become a food preparation worker?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for food preparation workers is no formal educational credential. Once hired, BLS lists short-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing some preparation.
Is food preparation worker a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 3.0% over 2025–2035, a loss of 27,200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 135,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a food preparation worker do?
Food preparation workers perform a variety of tasks other than cooking. A core O*NET task: clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware. Employers most often ask for Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Do food preparation workers work 40 hours a week?
Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 6% of food preparation workers usually work more than 40 hours a week, 80% work exactly 40 and 14% work fewer. 85% say their schedule is regular and 15% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a food preparation worker?
O*NET scores Food Preparation Workers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of food preparation workers are women?
Women make up 56.8% of food preparation workers, against 47.1% of all employed people: more women than in the workforce as a whole. 18.7% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 30.7 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.