Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Food Preparation Workers salary grow from entry-level to senior? National salary progression based on 51 states with BLS data.
59% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • National averages across 51 states • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Food Preparation Workers spans from $27,262 at entry-level to $43,293 at senior level — a difference of $16,031 per year.
Senior Food Preparation Workerss earn $16,031 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Food Preparation Workers salary increases with experience, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $27,262 | $2,272 | $13.11 |
| Early Career | P25 | $29,941 | $2,495 | $14.39 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $33,596 | $2,800 | $16.15 |
| Experienced | P75 | $38,085 | $3,174 | $18.31 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $43,293 | $3,608 | $20.81 |
Food Preparation Workers has a moderate salary progression with a 59% growth from entry-level ($27,262) to senior ($43,293). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or moving to higher-paying states. The gap between median ($33,596) and P90 ($43,293) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Which states pay the highest senior-level salaries for Food Preparation Workers? Top 10 states ranked by 90th percentile (senior) pay.
Entry-level Food Preparation Workerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $27,262 per year, or $2,271 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $29,941. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Food Preparation Workerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $43,293 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $38,085. This represents a career premium of 59% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Food Preparation Workerss is 59%. Entry-level professionals start at $27,262, while senior-level can earn up to $43,293 — a difference of $16,031 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Food Preparation Workerss is Hawaii, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $57,720 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 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.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Salary percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. National averages are computed across 51 states and the District of Columbia. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. Actual salaries vary based on location, employer, experience, education, and certifications.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS