Food Preparation Worker Salary in New York, NY
Updated
The median food preparation worker in the New York area earns $35,670 a year ($17.15 an hour), 1% above the U.S. median ($35,320) and about the same as the New York State median ($35,610). Half of the 63,530 food preparation workers there earn between $34,330 and $41,600.
| Annual pay | New York area | New York State | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,080 | $33,280 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $34,330 | $34,320 | $29,950 |
| Median | $35,670 | $35,610 | $35,320 |
| 75th percentile | $41,600 | $40,250 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $47,650 | $46,800 | $45,340 |
| Average | $38,790 | $38,310 | $35,290 |
| Jobs | 63,530 | 62,380 | 893,600 |
New York, NY ranks 20th 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
- Buffalo, NY: $34,700
- 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 New York, NY
- Restaurant Cook: $43,740
- Fast Food Worker: $35,420
- Waiter: $47,610
- Food Service Supervisor: $48,690
- Bartender: $61,220
- All jobs in New York, 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.