Food Preparation Worker salary in New Jersey
Food Preparation Workers in New Jersey earn a median of $35,540 a year ($17.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 24,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,070 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $35,320. New Jersey ranks 19th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 5.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $33,530 | $16.12 |
| Median | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| 75th percentile | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| Average (mean) | $37,680 | $18.11 |
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 | $2,961.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,480.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,366.92 |
| Weekly | $683.46 |
| Hourly | $17.09 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $35,950 | 1,190 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $35,810 | 1,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $35,670 | 63,530 |
| Vineland, NJ | $35,240 | 370 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,560 | 10,780 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $33,430 | 1,360 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,520 | $21.40 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Cooks, All Other | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,150 | $16.42 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| Bartender | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,050 | $16.37 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Dishwasher | $35,900 | $17.26 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for food preparation workers in New Jersey is $35,540 a year, or $17.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in New Jersey earn at least $46,070 a year. The top 25% earn $38,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,220 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $33,530 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in New Jersey?
About 24,730 food preparation workers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.