Food Preparation Worker salary in Flagstaff, AZ
Food Preparation Workers in the Flagstaff, AZ metro area earn a median of $37,710 a year ($18.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,840 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $36,750. There are 8.6 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Flagstaff, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,870 | $15.32 |
| 25th percentile | $34,840 | $16.75 |
| Median | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| 75th percentile | $39,720 | $19.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Average (mean) | $38,030 | $18.28 |
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 | $3,142.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,571.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,450.38 |
| Weekly | $725.19 |
| Hourly | $18.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Flagstaff, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,760 | $18.63 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,950 | $16.32 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $40,380 | $19.41 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,690 | $16.20 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,300 | $20.82 |
| Bartender | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Dishwasher | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,380 | $28.55 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,200 | $18.36 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $39,670 | $19.07 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Flagstaff, AZ
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 Flagstaff, AZ?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Flagstaff, AZ metro area is $37,710 a year, or $18.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Flagstaff, AZ?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Flagstaff, AZ metro area earn at least $43,840 a year. The top 25% earn $39,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Flagstaff, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,870 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $34,840 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Flagstaff, AZ?
About 570 food preparation workers are employed in the Flagstaff, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.