Food Preparation Workers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Texas (2024)

How does Food Preparation Workers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Texas? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

70% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Texas salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$21,990
$1,832/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$28,890
$2,408/mo
Senior (P90)
$37,480
$3,123/mo

Texas vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$21,990
National: $25,280
-13.0%
Mid-Career (Median)
$28,890
National: $31,296
-7.7%
Senior (P90)
$37,480
National: $40,697
-7.9%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Food Preparation Workers in Texas spans from $21,990 at entry-level to $37,480 at senior level — a difference of $15,490 per year.

P10
$21K
P25
$23K
Median
$28K
P75
$34K
P90
$37K

Career Growth Premium: +70%

Senior Food Preparation Workerss in Texas earn $15,490 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$15,490
Monthly Difference
+$1,291
Hourly Difference
+$7.45
Growth Multiple
1.7x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Food Preparation Workers salary increases with experience in Texas, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $21,990 $1,832 $10.57
Early Career P25 $23,890 $1,991 $11.49
Mid-Career Median $28,890 $2,408 $13.89
Experienced P75 $34,680 $2,890 $16.67
Senior / Expert P90 $37,480 $3,123 $18.02
Key Insight

Food Preparation Workers in Texas has a moderate salary progression with a 70% growth from entry-level ($21,990) to senior ($37,480). 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 ($28,890) and P90 ($37,480) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Texas Compares to Other States

Where does Texas rank for Food Preparation Workers senior-level salaries? Compare Texas's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$54,070
Entry: $28K
+91%
2
$50,170
Entry: $34K
+46%
3
$48,610
Entry: $32K
+50%
4
$48,360
Entry: $30K
+57%
5
$47,440
Entry: $25K
+87%
6
$47,180
Entry: $30K
+54%
7
$47,120
Entry: $31K
+51%
8
$46,870
Entry: $33K
+39%
9
$46,200
Entry: $35K
+31%
10
$46,130
Entry: $29K
+55%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Food Preparation Workers?

Entry-level Food Preparation Workerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $21,990 per year, or $1,832 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $23,890. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Food Preparation Workers make?

Senior Food Preparation Workerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $37,480 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $34,680. This represents a career premium of 70% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Food Preparation Workers?

The career salary growth potential for Food Preparation Workerss is 70%. Entry-level professionals start at $21,990, while senior-level can earn up to $37,480 — a difference of $15,490 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Food Preparation Workerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Food Preparation Workerss is Texas, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $37,480 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Food Preparation Workers salaries determined?

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.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Texas 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 Texas.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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