Food Preparation Worker salary in Appleton, WI
Food Preparation Workers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $34,060 a year ($16.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,050 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $34,070. There are 5.2 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,740, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,990 | $11.53 |
| 25th percentile | $28,280 | $13.59 |
| Median | $34,060 | $16.37 |
| 75th percentile | $38,200 | $18.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Average (mean) | $33,740 | $16.22 |
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 | $2,838.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,419.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,310 |
| Weekly | $655 |
| Hourly | $16.37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $36,940 | 2,330 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $35,470 | 4,500 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35,100 | 16,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,900 | 660 |
| Kenosha, WI | $34,840 | 490 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,010 | 1,050 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $33,680 | 580 |
| Green Bay, WI | $32,720 | 1,260 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $32,340 | 500 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $32,150 | 490 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $31,720 | 320 |
| Wausau, WI | $31,720 | 440 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $30,810 | 370 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $30,460 | 500 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,050 | $13.97 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,010 | $13.95 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| Bartender | $23,330 | $11.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,820 | $12.90 |
| Dishwasher | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,200 | $29.90 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
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 Appleton, WI?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Appleton, WI metro area is $34,060 a year, or $16.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $45,050 a year. The top 25% earn $38,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,990 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,280 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Appleton, WI?
About 650 food preparation workers are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.