Food Preparation Worker salary in Madison, WI
Food Preparation Workers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $36,940 a year ($17.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,060 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 8% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $34,070. There are 5.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,760, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,980 | $12.97 |
| 25th percentile | $30,460 | $14.64 |
| Median | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| 75th percentile | $43,950 | $21.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,060 | $22.63 |
| Average (mean) | $36,760 | $17.67 |
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 | $3,078.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,539.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,420.77 |
| Weekly | $710.38 |
| Hourly | $17.76 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $35,470 | 4,500 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35,100 | 16,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,900 | 660 |
| Kenosha, WI | $34,840 | 490 |
| Appleton, WI | $34,060 | 650 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,010 | 1,050 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $33,680 | 580 |
| Green Bay, WI | $32,720 | 1,260 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $32,340 | 500 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $32,150 | 490 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $31,720 | 320 |
| Wausau, WI | $31,720 | 440 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $30,810 | 370 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $30,460 | 500 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,960 | $20.65 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,650 | $13.78 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,820 | $14.34 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,910 | $14.86 |
| Bartender | $23,210 | $11.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,060 | $22.15 |
| Dishwasher | $32,750 | $15.75 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,710 | $13.80 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $25,850 | $12.43 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Madison, WI metro area is $36,940 a year, or $17.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $47,060 a year. The top 25% earn $43,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,980 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $30,460 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Madison, WI?
About 2,330 food preparation workers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.