Food Preparation Worker salary in Bangor, ME
Food Preparation Workers in the Bangor, ME metro area earn a median of $34,970 a year ($16.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,340 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% lower than the Maine statewide median of $36,030. There are 6.2 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Bangor, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,900 | $14.86 |
| 25th percentile | $33,600 | $16.16 |
| Median | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| 75th percentile | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Average (mean) | $36,230 | $17.42 |
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 | $2,914.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,457.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,345 |
| Weekly | $672.50 |
| Hourly | $16.81 |
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-South Portland, ME | $37,260 | 1,900 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $35,630 | 340 |
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bangor, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,760 | $19.59 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,700 | $20.53 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,560 | $16.62 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Bartender | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| Dishwasher | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $32,500 | $15.63 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,560 | $16.61 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Bangor, ME
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 Bangor, ME?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Bangor, ME metro area is $34,970 a year, or $16.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Bangor, ME?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Bangor, ME metro area earn at least $44,340 a year. The top 25% earn $37,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Bangor, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,900 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $33,600 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Bangor, ME?
About 450 food preparation workers are employed in the Bangor, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.