Food Preparation Worker salary in Minnesota
Food Preparation Workers in Minnesota earn a median of $34,850 a year ($16.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 24,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,790 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $35,320. Minnesota ranks 26th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 8.3 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,150 | $14.01 |
| 25th percentile | $30,550 | $14.69 |
| Median | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| 75th percentile | $38,240 | $18.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| Average (mean) | $35,610 | $17.12 |
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 | $2,904.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,452.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,340.38 |
| Weekly | $670.19 |
| Hourly | $16.76 |
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 Minnesota
| 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 |
| Mankato, MN | $33,440 | 390 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,120 | $16.41 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Cooks, All Other | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $25,470 | $12.25 |
| Bartender | $26,900 | $12.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,270 | $21.77 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Dishwasher | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,210 | $14.04 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,600 | $30.10 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Minnesota is $34,850 a year, or $16.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Minnesota earn at least $45,790 a year. The top 25% earn $38,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,150 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $30,550 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Minnesota?
About 24,620 food preparation workers are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.