Food Preparation Workers Salary in New Jersey
Food Preparation Workers in New Jersey earn a median annual wage of $35,540 —0.6% above the national median of $35,320. That ranks NJ #19 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 concentration (1.00×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Occupations in the same job family, compared within New Jersey.
| Occupation | New Jersey median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,150 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,960 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,460 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,420 | $44,080 |
| Bartenders | $44,020 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,220 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation workers make in New Jersey?
The median annual wage for food preparation workers in New Jersey is $35,540, or $17.09 per hour. That is 0.6% above the national median of $35,320.
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in New Jersey?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $32,220 per year ($15.49/hour). The 25th percentile is $33,530.
How many people work as food preparation workers in New Jersey?
About 24,730 people work in this occupation in New Jersey, or 5.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is New Jersey a good state for food preparation workers?
New Jersey ranks #19 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.00x) is close to the national average.
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).