Food Preparation Worker salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Food Preparation Workers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $36,590 a year ($17.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,790 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Dakota statewide median of $36,800. There are 3.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $36,350, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,950 | $13.44 |
| 25th percentile | $30,930 | $14.87 |
| Median | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| 75th percentile | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,790 | $21.54 |
| Average (mean) | $36,350 | $17.48 |
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 | $3,049.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,524.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,407.31 |
| Weekly | $703.65 |
| Hourly | $17.59 |
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 |
| Bismarck, ND | $37,270 | 170 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $35,650 | 270 |
| Rochester, MN | $35,470 | 790 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35,100 | 16,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,900 | 660 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,010 | 1,050 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $33,540 | 890 |
| Mankato, MN | $33,440 | 390 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $30,360 | 1,170 |
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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $41,120 | $19.77 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,710 | $14.29 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,330 | $14.58 |
| Bartender | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,480 | $21.38 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,290 | $14.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Dishwasher | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,390 | $26.15 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Fargo, ND-MN
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $36,590 a year, or $17.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $44,790 a year. The top 25% earn $38,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,950 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $30,930 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 550 food preparation workers are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.