Food Preparation Worker salary in Albany, OR
Food Preparation Workers in the Albany, OR metro area earn a median of $35,860 a year ($17.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,160 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 4% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $37,450. There are 5.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Albany, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,280 | $15.04 |
| 25th percentile | $33,810 | $16.26 |
| Median | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| 75th percentile | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Average (mean) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
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 | $2,988.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,494.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,379.23 |
| Weekly | $689.62 |
| Hourly | $17.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $38,730 | 6,870 |
| Bend, OR | $38,010 | 760 |
| Salem, OR | $37,300 | 990 |
| Corvallis, OR | $36,510 | 330 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $36,160 | 980 |
| Medford, OR | $35,440 | 510 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $35,430 | 240 |
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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $40,000 | $19.23 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,330 | $16.51 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,330 | $21.31 |
| Bartender | $34,790 | $16.73 |
| Dishwasher | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,320 | $17.46 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Albany, OR
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 Albany, OR?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Albany, OR metro area is $35,860 a year, or $17.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Albany, OR?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Albany, OR metro area earn at least $45,160 a year. The top 25% earn $40,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Albany, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,280 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $33,810 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Albany, OR?
About 260 food preparation workers are employed in the Albany, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.