Food Preparation Worker salary in Niles, MI
Food Preparation Workers in the Niles, MI metro area earn a median of $29,640 a year ($14.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,770 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 5% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $31,180. There are 5.6 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Niles, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,960 | $12.48 |
| 25th percentile | $27,890 | $13.41 |
| Median | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| 75th percentile | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Average (mean) | $31,480 | $15.14 |
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 | $2,470 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,235 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,140 |
| Weekly | $570 |
| Hourly | $14.25 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Niles, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,240 | $13.58 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,740 | $13.34 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Bartender | $38,970 | $18.74 |
| Dishwasher | $31,580 | $15.18 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,650 | $13.29 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,160 | $14.98 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,840 | $15.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Niles, MI
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 Niles, MI?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Niles, MI metro area is $29,640 a year, or $14.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Niles, MI?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Niles, MI metro area earn at least $36,770 a year. The top 25% earn $35,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Niles, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,960 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,890 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Niles, MI?
About 340 food preparation workers are employed in the Niles, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.