Food Preparation Worker salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Food Preparation Workers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $37,580 a year ($18.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,640 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $36,750. There are 5.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,730 | $15.26 |
| 25th percentile | $34,600 | $16.64 |
| Median | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| 75th percentile | $41,320 | $19.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| Average (mean) | $38,500 | $18.51 |
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 | $3,131.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,565.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,445.38 |
| Weekly | $722.69 |
| Hourly | $18.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $37,710 | 570 |
| Yuma, AZ | $35,390 | 330 |
| Tucson, AZ | $35,260 | 2,350 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $35,180 | 370 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $35,090 | 360 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $33,610 | 170 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| Cooks, All Other | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $50,180 | $24.12 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| Bartender | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| Dishwasher | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,400 | $29.52 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $37,580 a year, or $18.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $44,640 a year. The top 25% earn $41,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,730 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $34,600 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 11,910 food preparation workers are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.