Food Preparation Worker salary in Hawaii
Food Preparation Workers in Hawaii earn a median of $38,160 a year ($18.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,720 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $35,320. Hawaii ranks 6th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 9.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Hawaii
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| 25th percentile | $33,310 | $16.02 |
| Median | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| 75th percentile | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| Average (mean) | $41,670 | $20.03 |
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 | $3,180 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,590 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,467.69 |
| Weekly | $733.85 |
| Hourly | $18.35 |
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 Hawaii
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $46,680 | 720 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $37,300 | 4,210 |
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 Hawaii
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $43,110 | $20.73 |
| Cooks, All Other | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $48,120 | $23.14 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $62,390 | $29.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Dishwasher | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $51,200 | $24.62 |
| Bartender | $76,490 | $36.78 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $77,360 | $37.19 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,920 | $18.23 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Hawaii
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 Hawaii?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Hawaii is $38,160 a year, or $18.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Hawaii?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Hawaii earn at least $57,720 a year. The top 25% earn $46,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Hawaii?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,950 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $33,310 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Hawaii?
About 5,950 food preparation workers are employed in Hawaii, not counting the self-employed.