Food Preparation Worker salary in Michigan
Food Preparation Workers in Michigan earn a median of $31,180 a year ($14.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,620 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $35,320. Michigan ranks 36th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 3.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $32,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,540 | $12.76 |
| 25th percentile | $27,690 | $13.31 |
| Median | $31,180 | $14.99 |
| 75th percentile | $35,910 | $17.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| Average (mean) | $32,720 | $15.73 |
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 | $2,598.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,299.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,199.23 |
| Weekly | $599.62 |
| Hourly | $14.99 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $34,100 | 590 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $33,060 | 8,250 |
| Traverse City, MI | $31,980 | 400 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $31,920 | 1,970 |
| Flint, MI | $31,510 | 530 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $31,410 | 490 |
| Jackson, MI | $31,120 | 170 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $30,100 | 170 |
| Monroe, MI | $30,060 | 180 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $29,970 | 760 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $29,650 | 330 |
| Niles, MI | $29,640 | 340 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $29,340 | 740 |
| Saginaw, MI | $28,960 | 320 |
| Bay City, MI | $28,790 | 150 |
| Midland, MI | $27,290 | 140 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,460 | $14.17 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,870 | $17.72 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Cooks, All Other | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Bartender | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,390 | $14.61 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,950 | $13.92 |
| Dishwasher | $31,300 | $15.05 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,070 | $28.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Michigan is $31,180 a year, or $14.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Michigan?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Michigan earn at least $38,620 a year. The top 25% earn $35,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,540 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,690 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Michigan?
About 17,380 food preparation workers are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.