Food Preparation Workers Salary in Maryland
Food Preparation Workers in Maryland earn a median annual wage of $35,500 —0.5% above the national median of $35,320. That ranks MD #20 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.84× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Maryland.
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Maryland is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,910 | $19.67 | 19,510 | 0.96 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 | $19.04 | 3,970 | 0.98 |
| 3 | California | $39,350 | $18.92 | 112,750 | 1.08 |
| 4 | Colorado | $38,960 | $18.73 | 12,080 | 0.73 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 | $18.70 | 13,620 | 0.65 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $38,160 | $18.35 | 5,950 | 1.65 |
| 7 | Oregon | $37,450 | $18.00 | 11,860 | 1.05 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $36,800 | $17.69 | 980 | 0.40 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $36,780 | $17.68 | 3,420 | 0.87 |
| 10 | Arizona | $36,750 | $17.67 | 16,590 | 0.89 |
Related occupations in Maryland
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Maryland.
| Occupation | Maryland median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,660 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,750 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,820 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,450 | $44,080 |
| Bartenders | $37,580 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,320 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation workers make in Maryland?
The median annual wage for food preparation workers in Maryland is $35,500, or $17.07 per hour. That is 0.5% above the national median of $35,320.
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Maryland?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $31,290 per year ($15.04/hour). The 25th percentile is $33,020.
How many people work as food preparation workers in Maryland?
About 13,280 people work in this occupation in Maryland, or 4.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Maryland a good state for food preparation workers?
Maryland ranks #20 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.84x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Maryland.
Which state pays food preparation workers the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $40,910 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($39,600) and California ($39,350).