Food Preparation Worker salary in Oregon
Food Preparation Workers in Oregon earn a median of $37,450 a year ($18.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,580 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $35,320. Oregon ranks 7th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 6.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| 25th percentile | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| Median | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| 75th percentile | $42,860 | $20.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,580 | $23.35 |
| Average (mean) | $39,510 | $19.00 |
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 | $3,120.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,560.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,440.38 |
| Weekly | $720.19 |
| Hourly | $18.00 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $38,730 | 6,870 |
| Bend, OR | $38,010 | 760 |
| Salem, OR | $37,300 | 990 |
| Corvallis, OR | $36,510 | 330 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $36,160 | 980 |
| Albany, OR | $35,860 | 260 |
| Medford, OR | $35,440 | 510 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $35,430 | 240 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,520 | $21.40 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,880 | $18.21 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,550 | $18.54 |
| Cooks, All Other | $42,020 | $20.20 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Bartender | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Dishwasher | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,620 | $17.61 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $63,600 | $30.58 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Oregon is $37,450 a year, or $18.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Oregon?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Oregon earn at least $48,580 a year. The top 25% earn $42,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,560 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $35,100 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Oregon?
About 11,860 food preparation workers are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.