Food Preparation Worker salary in Connecticut
Food Preparation Workers in Connecticut earn a median of $36,650 a year ($17.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,790 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,320. Connecticut ranks 11th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 7.2 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 25th percentile | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Median | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| 75th percentile | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Average (mean) | $39,290 | $18.89 |
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 | $3,054.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,527.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,409.62 |
| Weekly | $704.81 |
| Hourly | $17.62 |
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 Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $37,820 | 3,300 |
| New Haven, CT | $36,970 | 2,140 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $36,580 | 1,430 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $36,200 | 960 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $35,860 | 3,750 |
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 Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Cooks, All Other | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,940 | $25.45 |
| Bartender | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Dishwasher | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,310 | $30.92 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
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 Connecticut?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Connecticut is $36,650 a year, or $17.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Connecticut earn at least $47,790 a year. The top 25% earn $40,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,010 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $35,340 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Connecticut?
About 12,250 food preparation workers are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.