Food Preparation Worker salary in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
Food Preparation Workers in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area earn a median of $35,630 a year ($17.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,410 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% lower than the Maine statewide median of $36,030. There are 7.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| 25th percentile | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| Median | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| 75th percentile | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| Average (mean) | $36,270 | $17.44 |
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 | $2,969.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,484.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,370.38 |
| Weekly | $685.19 |
| Hourly | $17.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $37,260 | 1,900 |
| Bangor, ME | $34,970 | 450 |
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,130 | $20.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Bartender | $45,040 | $21.66 |
| Dishwasher | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $56,440 | $27.13 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
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 Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area is $35,630 a year, or $17.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area earn at least $44,410 a year. The top 25% earn $37,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,410 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $32,130 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
About 340 food preparation workers are employed in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.