Food Preparation Worker salary in Massachusetts
Food Preparation Workers in Massachusetts earn a median of $38,900 a year ($18.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,420 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $35,320. Massachusetts ranks 5th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 3.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $41,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| 25th percentile | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Median | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| 75th percentile | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Average (mean) | $41,030 | $19.73 |
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 | $3,241.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,620.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,496.15 |
| Weekly | $748.08 |
| Hourly | $18.70 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $40,140 | 510 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $39,660 | 9,630 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $38,660 | 670 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $36,930 | 310 |
| Worcester, MA | $36,550 | 1,390 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $36,250 | 3,870 |
| Springfield, MA | $36,020 | 810 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cooks, All Other | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Bartender | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Dishwasher | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,540 | $33.43 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,750 | $17.67 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Massachusetts is $38,900 a year, or $18.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Massachusetts earn at least $48,420 a year. The top 25% earn $44,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,280 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $36,060 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Massachusetts?
About 13,620 food preparation workers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.