Food Preparation Worker salary in Arizona
Food Preparation Workers in Arizona earn a median of $36,750 a year ($17.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,640 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,320. Arizona ranks 10th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 5.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,300 | $15.05 |
| 25th percentile | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Median | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 75th percentile | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| Average (mean) | $37,810 | $18.18 |
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 | $3,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,531.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,413.46 |
| Weekly | $706.73 |
| Hourly | $17.67 |
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 Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $37,710 | 570 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $37,580 | 11,910 |
| Yuma, AZ | $35,390 | 330 |
| Tucson, AZ | $35,260 | 2,350 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $35,180 | 370 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $35,090 | 360 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $33,610 | 170 |
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 Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,660 | $15.70 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Cooks, All Other | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,950 | $21.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,550 | $19.49 |
| Bartender | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Dishwasher | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,390 | $17.01 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,890 | $28.79 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Arizona is $36,750 a year, or $17.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Arizona?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Arizona earn at least $44,640 a year. The top 25% earn $39,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,300 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $34,220 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Arizona?
About 16,590 food preparation workers are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.