Food Preparation Worker salary in North Dakota
Food Preparation Workers in North Dakota earn a median of $36,800 a year ($17.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 980 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,840 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,320. North Dakota ranks 8th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 2.3 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $36,210, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,400 | $13.66 |
| 25th percentile | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Median | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| 75th percentile | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Average (mean) | $36,210 | $17.41 |
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 | $3,066.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,533.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,415.38 |
| Weekly | $707.69 |
| Hourly | $17.69 |
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 North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND | $37,310 | 90 |
| Bismarck, ND | $37,270 | 170 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $36,590 | 550 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $35,650 | 270 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,490 | $18.99 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| Cooks, All Other | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,890 | $14.85 |
| Bartender | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,010 | $14.91 |
| Dishwasher | $29,980 | $14.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $74,740 | $35.93 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $23,410 | $11.25 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for food preparation workers in North Dakota is $36,800 a year, or $17.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in North Dakota earn at least $43,840 a year. The top 25% earn $38,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,400 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $31,510 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in North Dakota?
About 980 food preparation workers are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.