Food Preparation Worker salary in Medford, OR
Food Preparation Workers in the Medford, OR metro area earn a median of $35,440 a year ($17.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,550 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 5% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $37,450. There are 5.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Medford, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,910 | $14.86 |
| 25th percentile | $33,100 | $15.92 |
| Median | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| 75th percentile | $38,990 | $18.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| Average (mean) | $37,700 | $18.12 |
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 | $2,953.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,476.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,363.08 |
| Weekly | $681.54 |
| Hourly | $17.04 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $38,730 | 6,870 |
| Bend, OR | $38,010 | 760 |
| Salem, OR | $37,300 | 990 |
| Corvallis, OR | $36,510 | 330 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $36,160 | 980 |
| Albany, OR | $35,860 | 260 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $35,430 | 240 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Medford, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| Bartender | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| Dishwasher | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,700 | $31.11 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Medford, OR
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 Medford, OR?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Medford, OR metro area is $35,440 a year, or $17.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Medford, OR?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Medford, OR metro area earn at least $47,550 a year. The top 25% earn $38,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Medford, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,910 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $33,100 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Medford, OR?
About 510 food preparation workers are employed in the Medford, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.