Food Preparation Worker salary in Nevada
Food Preparation Workers in Nevada earn a median of $33,460 a year ($16.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,600 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $35,320. Nevada ranks 31st of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 7.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Nevada
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,140 | $12.57 |
| 25th percentile | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| Median | $33,460 | $16.09 |
| 75th percentile | $40,920 | $19.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| Average (mean) | $36,290 | $17.45 |
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 | $2,788.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,394.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,286.92 |
| Weekly | $643.46 |
| Hourly | $16.09 |
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 Nevada
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV | $35,090 | 150 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $33,870 | 9,460 |
| Reno, NV | $32,180 | 1,490 |
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 Nevada
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,430 | $18.96 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| Cooks, All Other | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,410 | $12.70 |
| Bartender | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| Dishwasher | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,170 | $14.99 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,030 | $17.32 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Nevada
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 Nevada?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Nevada is $33,460 a year, or $16.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Nevada?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Nevada earn at least $50,600 a year. The top 25% earn $40,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Nevada?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,140 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,870 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Nevada?
About 11,420 food preparation workers are employed in Nevada, not counting the self-employed.