Food Preparation Workers Hourly Pay
As of May 2025, the median hourly wage for food preparation workers in the United States was $16.98, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Hourly Wage Percentiles
| Percentile | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $12.41 |
| 25th | $14.40 |
| Median | $16.98 |
| 75th | $18.53 |
| 90th | $21.80 |
Data source: BLS OES national file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do food preparation workers make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $16.98; the mean hourly wage is $16.96.
What is the entry-level hourly pay for food preparation workers?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn about $12.41 per hour — a common proxy for entry-level pay.
What is the top hourly pay for food preparation workers?
Workers at the 90th percentile earn about $21.80 per hour.