Food Preparation Worker salary in Anchorage, AK
Food Preparation Workers in the Anchorage, AK metro area earn a median of $34,760 a year ($16.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,680 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% lower than the Alaska statewide median of $35,720. There are 9.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Anchorage, AK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| 25th percentile | $33,130 | $15.93 |
| Median | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| 75th percentile | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,680 | $21.96 |
| Average (mean) | $36,710 | $17.65 |
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 | $2,896.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,448.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,336.92 |
| Weekly | $668.46 |
| Hourly | $16.71 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Alaska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Anchorage, AK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $48,290 | $23.21 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,660 | $18.11 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,080 | $12.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| Bartender | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Dishwasher | $31,940 | $15.36 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $39,550 | $19.02 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Anchorage, AK
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 Anchorage, AK?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Anchorage, AK metro area is $34,760 a year, or $16.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Anchorage, AK?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Anchorage, AK metro area earn at least $45,680 a year. The top 25% earn $38,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Anchorage, AK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,300 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $33,130 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Anchorage, AK?
About 1,590 food preparation workers are employed in the Anchorage, AK metro area, not counting the self-employed.