National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$33,726
Average (Mean)
$34,997
Employed Nationwide
293,910
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns $130 more (0.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$33,595
$33,726
Average (Mean) Salary
$34,727
$34,997
Total Employment
893,600
293,910
States with Higher Pay
25
26
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 25 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 26.
| State | Food Preparation Workers | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,930 | $29,000 | $-1,070 | ||
| Alaska | $35,720 | $38,090 | $-2,370 | ||
| Arizona | $36,750 | $35,390 | +$1,360 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,660 | $27,600 | +$60 | ||
| California | $39,350 | $39,010 | +$340 | ||
| Colorado | $38,960 | $38,900 | +$60 | ||
| Connecticut | $36,650 | $35,950 | +$700 | ||
| Delaware | $35,930 | $31,430 | +$4,500 | ||
| District of Columbia | $39,600 | $37,920 | +$1,680 | ||
| Florida | $35,920 | $33,930 | +$1,990 | ||
| Georgia | $35,250 | $31,530 | +$3,720 | ||
| Hawaii | $38,160 | $37,920 | +$240 | ||
| Idaho | $31,510 | $34,220 | $-2,710 | ||
| Illinois | $34,850 | $35,080 | $-230 | ||
| Indiana | $29,700 | $31,840 | $-2,140 | ||
| Iowa | $30,360 | $30,110 | +$250 | ||
| Kansas | $30,280 | $29,040 | +$1,240 | ||
| Kentucky | $26,850 | $32,200 | $-5,350 | ||
| Louisiana | $23,620 | $27,200 | $-3,580 | ||
| Maine | $36,030 | $37,680 | $-1,650 | ||
| Maryland | $35,500 | $36,650 | $-1,150 | ||
| Massachusetts | $38,900 | $36,750 | +$2,150 | ||
| Michigan | $31,180 | $34,260 | $-3,080 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,850 | $36,000 | $-1,150 | ||
| Mississippi | $26,240 | $27,250 | $-1,010 | ||
| Missouri | $31,510 | $31,840 | $-330 | ||
| Montana | $33,860 | $32,090 | +$1,770 | ||
| Nebraska | $35,210 | $31,540 | +$3,670 | ||
| Nevada | $33,460 | $36,030 | $-2,570 | ||
| New Hampshire | $36,780 | $36,710 | +$70 | ||
| New Jersey | $35,540 | $36,390 | $-850 | ||
| New Mexico | $33,370 | $35,740 | $-2,370 | ||
| New York | $35,610 | $39,370 | $-3,760 | ||
| North Carolina | $30,260 | $31,460 | $-1,200 | ||
| North Dakota | $36,800 | $36,910 | $-110 | ||
| Ohio | $34,530 | $30,440 | +$4,090 | ||
| Oklahoma | $28,540 | $28,490 | +$50 | ||
| Oregon | $37,450 | $36,620 | +$830 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $30,840 | $33,300 | $-2,460 | ||
| Rhode Island | $35,470 | $34,860 | +$610 | ||
| South Carolina | $32,180 | $31,740 | +$440 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,430 | $31,980 | $-1,550 | ||
| Tennessee | $28,700 | $30,670 | $-1,970 | ||
| Texas | $30,650 | $29,300 | +$1,350 | ||
| Utah | $33,540 | $30,170 | +$3,370 | ||
| Vermont | $36,550 | $37,540 | $-990 | ||
| Virginia | $34,900 | $35,090 | $-190 | ||
| Washington | $40,910 | $38,870 | +$2,040 | ||
| West Virginia | $28,360 | $30,170 | $-1,810 | ||
| Wisconsin | $34,070 | $34,670 | $-600 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,110 | $33,090 | +$3,020 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Food Preparation Workers vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Food Preparation Workers or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
On average across all states, a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns more than a Food Preparation Workers. The national median salary difference is $130 (0.4%) based on 2025 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 25 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 26 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 $33,595 per year, compared to $33,726 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2025 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 893,600 Food Preparation Workers positions and 293,910 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2025).
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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