Food Preparation Worker salary in Manchester-Nashua, NH
Food Preparation Workers in the Manchester-Nashua, NH metro area earn a median of $36,330 a year ($17.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 860 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,050 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% lower than the New Hampshire statewide median of $36,780. There are 4.3 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $35,400, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Manchester-Nashua, NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| 25th percentile | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Median | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| 75th percentile | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Average (mean) | $35,400 | $17.02 |
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 | $3,027.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,513.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,397.31 |
| Weekly | $698.65 |
| Hourly | $17.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Hampshire at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $39,660 | 9,630 |
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 New Hampshire statewide figures.
Related jobs in Manchester-Nashua, NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,550 | $18.54 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,120 | $14.96 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Bartender | $29,050 | $13.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $49,260 | $23.68 |
| Dishwasher | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,890 | $17.73 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $63,260 | $30.41 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $43,330 | $20.83 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Manchester-Nashua, NH
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 Manchester-Nashua, NH?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Manchester-Nashua, NH metro area is $36,330 a year, or $17.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Manchester-Nashua, NH?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Manchester-Nashua, NH metro area earn at least $45,050 a year. The top 25% earn $38,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Manchester-Nashua, NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,250 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,120 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Manchester-Nashua, NH?
About 860 food preparation workers are employed in the Manchester-Nashua, NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.