Food Preparation Worker salary in Mankato, MN
Food Preparation Workers in the Mankato, MN metro area earn a median of $33,440 a year ($16.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,320 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 4% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $34,850. There are 7.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Mankato, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,640 | $13.29 |
| 25th percentile | $29,210 | $14.05 |
| Median | $33,440 | $16.08 |
| 75th percentile | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Average (mean) | $33,820 | $16.26 |
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 | $2,786.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,393.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,286.15 |
| Weekly | $643.08 |
| Hourly | $16.08 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $36,590 | 550 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $35,650 | 270 |
| Rochester, MN | $35,470 | 790 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35,100 | 16,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,900 | 660 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,010 | 1,050 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $33,540 | 890 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $30,360 | 1,170 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Mankato, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $40,410 | $19.43 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,000 | $14.42 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $23,330 | $11.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,300 | $20.82 |
| Bartender | $24,710 | $11.88 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Dishwasher | $30,690 | $14.75 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,730 | $13.81 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,050 | $28.87 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Mankato, MN
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 Mankato, MN?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Mankato, MN metro area is $33,440 a year, or $16.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Mankato, MN?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Mankato, MN metro area earn at least $43,320 a year. The top 25% earn $36,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Mankato, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,640 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,210 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Mankato, MN?
About 390 food preparation workers are employed in the Mankato, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.