Food Preparation Worker salary in Idaho
Food Preparation Workers in Idaho earn a median of $31,510 a year ($15.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,260 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,320. Idaho ranks 34th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 5.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,150 | $10.65 |
| 25th percentile | $27,530 | $13.24 |
| Median | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| 75th percentile | $36,850 | $17.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| Average (mean) | $32,380 | $15.57 |
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 | $2,625.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,312.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,211.92 |
| Weekly | $605.96 |
| Hourly | $15.15 |
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 Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $36,830 | 480 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $35,780 | 170 |
| Boise City, ID | $35,340 | 1,830 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $30,490 | 400 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $30,400 | 450 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $29,960 | 290 |
| Pocatello, ID | $29,290 | 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 Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,600 | $17.11 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,070 | $14.94 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $40,090 | $19.28 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,940 | $13.91 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,050 | $14.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,190 | $18.36 |
| Bartender | $27,240 | $13.10 |
| Dishwasher | $29,920 | $14.39 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,280 | $13.12 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $52,000 | $25.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Idaho
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 Idaho?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Idaho is $31,510 a year, or $15.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Idaho?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Idaho earn at least $40,260 a year. The top 25% earn $36,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,150 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,530 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Idaho?
About 4,670 food preparation workers are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.