Food Preparation Worker salary in Oklahoma
Food Preparation Workers in Oklahoma earn a median of $28,540 a year ($13.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,980 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $35,320. Oklahoma ranks 45th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 4.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $28,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Oklahoma
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| 25th percentile | $22,870 | $11.00 |
| Median | $28,540 | $13.72 |
| 75th percentile | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Average (mean) | $28,710 | $13.80 |
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 | $2,378.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,189.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,097.69 |
| Weekly | $548.85 |
| Hourly | $13.72 |
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 Oklahoma
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa, OK | $30,370 | 1,750 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $30,160 | 3,240 |
| Lawton, OK | $27,130 | 150 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $26,900 | 320 |
| Enid, OK | $24,810 | 60 |
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 Oklahoma
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,270 | $14.07 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,430 | $11.27 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $17,910 | $8.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Bartender | $24,790 | $11.92 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,740 | $11.89 |
| Dishwasher | $27,390 | $13.17 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $28,490 | $13.70 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Oklahoma is $28,540 a year, or $13.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Oklahoma?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Oklahoma earn at least $35,980 a year. The top 25% earn $33,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Oklahoma?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,800 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,870 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Oklahoma?
About 7,430 food preparation workers are employed in Oklahoma, not counting the self-employed.