Food Preparation Worker salary in Maine
Food Preparation Workers in Maine earn a median of $36,030 a year ($17.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,400 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $35,320. Maine ranks 14th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. 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 $37,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,150 | $14.98 |
| 25th percentile | $33,760 | $16.23 |
| Median | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| 75th percentile | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,400 | $22.31 |
| Average (mean) | $37,470 | $18.02 |
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 | $3,002.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,501.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,385.77 |
| Weekly | $692.88 |
| Hourly | $17.32 |
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 Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $37,260 | 1,900 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $35,630 | 340 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Bartender | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Dishwasher | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,680 | $18.11 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Maine
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 Maine?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Maine is $36,030 a year, or $17.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Maine?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Maine earn at least $46,400 a year. The top 25% earn $39,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,150 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $33,760 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Maine?
About 4,560 food preparation workers are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.