Food Preparation Worker Salary in Buffalo, NY
Updated
The median food preparation worker in the Buffalo area earns $34,700 a year ($16.68 an hour), 2% below the U.S. median ($35,320) and 3% below the New York State median ($35,610). Half of the 3,290 food preparation workers there earn between $32,240 and $37,190.
| Annual pay | Buffalo area | New York State | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,240 | $33,280 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $32,240 | $34,320 | $29,950 |
| Median | $34,700 | $35,610 | $35,320 |
| 75th percentile | $37,190 | $40,250 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $40,020 | $46,800 | $45,340 |
| Average | $35,720 | $38,310 | $35,290 |
| Jobs | 3,290 | 62,380 | 893,600 |
Buffalo, NY ranks 29th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for food preparation worker pay. Highest: San Jose, CA ($45,580).
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Check my payFood preparation worker pay in other cities
- New York, NY: $35,670
- San Jose, CA: $45,580
- Seattle, WA: $43,830
- San Francisco, CA: $41,000
- Los Angeles, CA: $39,770
- Boston, MA: $39,660
- Denver, CO: $39,470
- San Diego, CA: $38,780
- All cities
Similar jobs in Buffalo, NY
- Restaurant Cook: $38,060
- Fast Food Worker: $34,560
- Waiter: $46,580
- Food Service Supervisor: $44,720
- Bartender: $46,920
- All jobs in Buffalo, NY
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.