Food Preparation Worker salary in Bismarck, ND
Food Preparation Workers in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median of $37,270 a year ($17.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,540 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Dakota statewide median of $36,800. There are 2.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $37,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Bismarck, ND
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| 25th percentile | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| Median | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| 75th percentile | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,540 | $21.90 |
| Average (mean) | $37,450 | $18.01 |
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 | $3,105.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,552.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,433.46 |
| Weekly | $716.73 |
| Hourly | $17.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND | $37,310 | 90 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $36,590 | 550 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $35,650 | 270 |
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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bismarck, ND
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,310 | $15.53 |
| Bartender | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,190 | $21.72 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,300 | $13.61 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,310 | $15.05 |
| Dishwasher | $32,180 | $15.47 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Bismarck, ND
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 Bismarck, ND?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $37,270 a year, or $17.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Bismarck, ND?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn at least $45,540 a year. The top 25% earn $40,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Bismarck, ND?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,760 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $35,840 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Bismarck, ND?
About 170 food preparation workers are employed in the Bismarck, ND metro area, not counting the self-employed.