Food Preparation Worker salary in Lawton, OK
Food Preparation Workers in the Lawton, OK metro area earn a median of $27,130 a year ($13.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,360 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 5% lower than the Oklahoma statewide median of $28,540. There are 3.6 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $28,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Lawton, OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,840 | $9.54 |
| 25th percentile | $20,990 | $10.09 |
| Median | $27,130 | $13.04 |
| 75th percentile | $32,470 | $15.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| Average (mean) | $28,020 | $13.47 |
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 | $2,260.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,130.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,043.46 |
| Weekly | $521.73 |
| Hourly | $13.04 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa, OK | $30,370 | 1,750 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $30,160 | 3,240 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $26,900 | 320 |
| Enid, OK | $24,810 | 60 |
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 Oklahoma statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lawton, OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $25,600 | $12.31 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,430 | $10.78 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $17,150 | $8.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,580 | $16.63 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $22,690 | $10.91 |
| Bartender | $21,230 | $10.21 |
| Dishwasher | $26,390 | $12.69 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $39,720 | $19.09 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lawton, OK
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 Lawton, OK?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Lawton, OK metro area is $27,130 a year, or $13.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Lawton, OK?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Lawton, OK metro area earn at least $36,360 a year. The top 25% earn $32,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Lawton, OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,840 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $20,990 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Lawton, OK?
About 150 food preparation workers are employed in the Lawton, OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.