Food Preparation Workers Salary in Massachusetts
Food Preparation Workers in Massachusetts earn a median annual wage of $38,900 —10.1% above the national median of $35,320. That ranks MA #5 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 0.65× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Massachusetts.
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Massachusetts.
| Occupation | Massachusetts median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,850 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,460 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,600 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,600 | $44,080 |
| Bartenders | $37,440 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,870 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation workers make in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage for food preparation workers in Massachusetts is $38,900, or $18.70 per hour. That is 10.1% above the national median of $35,320.
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Massachusetts?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $34,280 per year ($16.48/hour). The 25th percentile is $36,060.
How many people work as food preparation workers in Massachusetts?
About 13,620 people work in this occupation in Massachusetts, or 3.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Massachusetts a good state for food preparation workers?
Massachusetts ranks #5 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.65x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Massachusetts.
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).