Food Preparation Workers
SOC 35-2021 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Food Preparation Workers is $32,420, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $32,960, and an estimated 879,610 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +24.4% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +5.6% after inflation. BLS projects employment will shrink 3.4% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Food Preparation Workers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $32,420 | $32,420 | 879,610 |
| 2022 | $29,790 | $31,016 | 904,330 |
| 2021 | $28,780 | $32,363 | 783,350 |
| 2020 | $26,070 | $30,693 | 793,590 |
Nominal change
+24.4%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+5.6%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
-3.4%
Declining
Employment 2024
902,700
Projected 2034
871,800
Annual Openings
148,000
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Food Preparation Workers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $32,420. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $40,390 | +24.6% | 17,450 |
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $37,880 | +16.8% | 830 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $37,870 | +16.8% | 540 |
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $37,800 | +16.6% | 840 |
| District of Columbia | $37,630 | +16.1% | 3,960 |
| Colorado | $37,470 | +15.6% | 13,050 |
| California | $37,130 | +14.5% | 107,870 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $37,040 | +14.3% | 610 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $36,740 | +13.3% | 560 |
| Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $36,690 | +13.2% | 540 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$22,970
25th Pct
$27,920
Median
$32,420
75th Pct
$36,780
90th Pct
$42,990
Related Occupations in Food Preparation & Serving
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Food Preparation & Serving occupations →