National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$31,012
Average (Mean)
$32,463
Employed Nationwide
267,840
Food Preparation Workers earns $283 more (0.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$31,295
$31,012
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,435
$32,463
Total Employment
879,610
267,840
States with Higher Pay
28
23
Salary by State: Food Preparation Workers vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Food Preparation Workers pays more in 28 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 23.
| State | Food Preparation Workers | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $23,880 | $26,590 | $-2,710 | ||
| Alaska | $36,360 | $33,630 | +$2,730 | ||
| Arizona | $33,680 | $34,070 | $-390 | ||
| Arkansas | $28,850 | $26,920 | +$1,930 | ||
| California | $37,130 | $36,790 | +$340 | ||
| Colorado | $37,470 | $36,420 | +$1,050 | ||
| Connecticut | $34,690 | $35,130 | $-440 | ||
| Delaware | $30,080 | $29,060 | +$1,020 | ||
| District of Columbia | $37,630 | $37,280 | +$350 | ||
| Florida | $31,950 | $30,190 | +$1,760 | ||
| Georgia | $29,720 | $29,820 | $-100 | ||
| Hawaii | $36,360 | $35,660 | +$700 | ||
| Idaho | $28,970 | $28,810 | +$160 | ||
| Illinois | $31,660 | $31,940 | $-280 | ||
| Indiana | $30,030 | $29,570 | +$460 | ||
| Iowa | $28,700 | $29,350 | $-650 | ||
| Kansas | $28,790 | $23,880 | +$4,910 | ||
| Kentucky | $27,630 | $29,810 | $-2,180 | ||
| Louisiana | $22,390 | $26,560 | $-4,170 | ||
| Maine | $34,020 | $33,080 | +$940 | ||
| Maryland | $33,220 | $33,870 | $-650 | ||
| Massachusetts | $36,520 | $35,770 | +$750 | ||
| Michigan | $31,920 | $30,560 | +$1,360 | ||
| Minnesota | $33,810 | $34,040 | $-230 | ||
| Mississippi | $23,720 | $22,880 | +$840 | ||
| Missouri | $28,670 | $27,970 | +$700 | ||
| Montana | $29,550 | $30,390 | $-840 | ||
| Nebraska | $29,690 | $29,390 | +$300 | ||
| Nevada | $34,210 | $31,760 | +$2,450 | ||
| New Hampshire | $34,420 | $33,700 | +$720 | ||
| New Jersey | $34,670 | $34,310 | +$360 | ||
| New Mexico | $27,300 | $28,390 | $-1,090 | ||
| New York | $36,540 | $36,910 | $-370 | ||
| North Carolina | $27,820 | $29,430 | $-1,610 | ||
| North Dakota | $34,390 | $33,780 | +$610 | ||
| Ohio | $29,040 | $29,150 | $-110 | ||
| Oklahoma | $28,110 | $23,650 | +$4,460 | ||
| Oregon | $35,850 | $34,500 | +$1,350 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,640 | $30,680 | $-2,040 | ||
| Rhode Island | $30,700 | $32,100 | $-1,400 | ||
| South Carolina | $28,320 | $29,200 | $-880 | ||
| South Dakota | $28,260 | $32,030 | $-3,770 | ||
| Tennessee | $27,090 | $28,830 | $-1,740 | ||
| Texas | $28,890 | $26,920 | +$1,970 | ||
| Utah | $31,590 | $27,000 | +$4,590 | ||
| Vermont | $34,750 | $33,090 | +$1,660 | ||
| Virginia | $29,280 | $30,540 | $-1,260 | ||
| Washington | $40,390 | $36,370 | +$4,020 | ||
| West Virginia | $27,510 | $27,750 | $-240 | ||
| Wisconsin | $30,080 | $31,510 | $-1,430 | ||
| Wyoming | $31,140 | $30,610 | +$530 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Food Preparation Workers or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
On average across all states, a Food Preparation Workers earns more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. The national median salary difference is $283 (0.9%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Food Preparation Workers earn more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
A Food Preparation Workers earns a higher median salary than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in 28 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 23 states.
What is the median salary for a Food Preparation Workers vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
The national median salary for a Food Preparation Workers is $31,295 per year, compared to $31,012 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Food Preparation Workers or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
There are more people employed as Food Preparation Workers. BLS reports approximately 879,610 Food Preparation Workers positions and 267,840 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Food Preparation Workers or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Both Food Preparation Workers and Food Servers, Nonrestaurant are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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