Food Preparation Worker salary in Alaska
Food Preparation Workers in Alaska earn a median of $35,720 a year ($17.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,440 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $35,320. Alaska ranks 17th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 8.6 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Alaska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| 25th percentile | $34,000 | $16.34 |
| Median | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| 75th percentile | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Average (mean) | $37,230 | $17.90 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,976.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,488.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,373.85 |
| Weekly | $686.92 |
| Hourly | $17.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Alaska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $34,760 | 1,590 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $34,530 | 390 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
Related jobs in Alaska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,310 | $12.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Bartender | $30,460 | $14.65 |
| Dishwasher | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,210 | $14.52 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,090 | $18.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Alaska
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Alaska?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Alaska is $35,720 a year, or $17.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Alaska?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Alaska earn at least $46,440 a year. The top 25% earn $38,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Alaska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,350 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $34,000 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Alaska?
About 2,800 food preparation workers are employed in Alaska, not counting the self-employed.