Food Preparation Worker salary in Hattiesburg, MS
Food Preparation Workers in the Hattiesburg, MS metro area earn a median of $28,270 a year ($13.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,100 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 8% higher than the Mississippi statewide median of $26,240. There are 10.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $29,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Hattiesburg, MS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,790 | $9.51 |
| 25th percentile | $22,100 | $10.63 |
| Median | $28,270 | $13.59 |
| 75th percentile | $36,100 | $17.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,100 | $17.36 |
| Average (mean) | $29,100 | $13.99 |
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 | $2,355.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,177.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,087.31 |
| Weekly | $543.65 |
| Hourly | $13.59 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,290 | 3,530 |
| Jackson, MS | $27,200 | 1,220 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $24,370 | 1,440 |
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 Mississippi statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hattiesburg, MS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,470 | $11.28 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,550 | $10.84 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,830 | $10.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,750 | $16.71 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,260 | $12.62 |
| Dishwasher | $26,180 | $12.59 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $21,230 | $10.21 |
| Bartender | $26,360 | $12.67 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $25,970 | $12.48 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,870 | $26.38 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Hattiesburg, MS
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 Hattiesburg, MS?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Hattiesburg, MS metro area is $28,270 a year, or $13.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Hattiesburg, MS?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Hattiesburg, MS metro area earn at least $36,100 a year. The top 25% earn $36,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Hattiesburg, MS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,790 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,100 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Hattiesburg, MS?
About 620 food preparation workers are employed in the Hattiesburg, MS metro area, not counting the self-employed.