Food Preparation Worker Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Updated
The median food preparation worker in the Milwaukee area earns $35,470 a year ($17.05 an hour), about the same as the U.S. median ($35,320) and 4% above the Wisconsin median ($34,070). Half of the 4,500 food preparation workers there earn between $30,310 and $38,560.
| Annual pay | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,250 | $26,080 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $30,310 | $28,870 | $29,950 |
| Median | $35,470 | $34,070 | $35,320 |
| 75th percentile | $38,560 | $37,940 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $43,920 | $44,290 | $45,340 |
| Average | $35,080 | $34,000 | $35,290 |
| Jobs | 4,500 | 17,990 | 893,600 |
Milwaukee, WI ranks 22nd 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
- 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
- Portland, OR: $38,730
- All cities
Similar jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Restaurant Cook: $37,180
- Fast Food Worker: $28,440
- Waiter: $30,330
- Food Service Supervisor: $40,080
- Bartender: $25,970
- All jobs in Milwaukee, WI
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.