How does Food Preparation Workers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Pennsylvania? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.
97% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2024 • Pennsylvania salary data • Updated 2026-04-06
The salary range for Food Preparation Workers in Pennsylvania spans from $19,860 at entry-level to $39,080 at senior level — a difference of $19,220 per year.
Senior Food Preparation Workerss in Pennsylvania earn $19,220 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Food Preparation Workers salary increases with experience in Pennsylvania, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $19,860 | $1,655 | $9.55 |
| Early Career | P25 | $23,530 | $1,961 | $11.31 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $28,640 | $2,387 | $13.77 |
| Experienced | P75 | $34,130 | $2,844 | $16.41 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $39,080 | $3,257 | $18.79 |
Food Preparation Workers in Pennsylvania has a moderate salary progression with a 97% growth from entry-level ($19,860) to senior ($39,080). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($28,640) and P90 ($39,080) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does Pennsylvania rank for Food Preparation Workers senior-level salaries? Compare Pennsylvania's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Entry-level Food Preparation Workerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $19,860 per year, or $1,655 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $23,530. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Food Preparation Workerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $39,080 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $34,130. This represents a career premium of 97% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Food Preparation Workerss is 97%. Entry-level professionals start at $19,860, while senior-level can earn up to $39,080 — a difference of $19,220 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Food Preparation Workerss is Pennsylvania, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $39,080 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
Salary percentile data for Pennsylvania from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Pennsylvania.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS