Food Preparation Worker salary in Ponce, PR
Food Preparation Workers in the Ponce, PR metro area earn a median of $21,960 a year ($10.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $28,220 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% lower than the Puerto Rico statewide median of $22,400. There are 5.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $23,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Ponce, PR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Median | $21,960 | $10.56 |
| 75th percentile | $22,560 | $10.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $28,220 | $13.57 |
| Average (mean) | $23,130 | $11.12 |
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 | $1,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $915 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $844.62 |
| Weekly | $422.31 |
| Hourly | $10.56 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $22,800 | 2,740 |
| Guayama, PR | $22,500 | 80 |
| Arecibo, PR | $22,300 | 180 |
| Aguadilla, PR | $22,290 | 330 |
| Mayaguez, PR | $22,050 | 300 |
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 Puerto Rico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ponce, PR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $28,540 | $13.72 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $23,350 | $11.23 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,330 | $10.74 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $27,900 | $13.41 |
| Bartender | $21,970 | $10.56 |
| Dishwasher | $22,370 | $10.76 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $23,770 | $11.43 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,360 | $10.75 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $30,800 | $14.81 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Ponce, PR
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 Ponce, PR?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Ponce, PR metro area is $21,960 a year, or $10.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $28,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Ponce, PR?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Ponce, PR metro area earn at least $28,220 a year. The top 25% earn $22,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Ponce, PR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,840 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $21,840 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Ponce, PR?
About 330 food preparation workers are employed in the Ponce, PR metro area, not counting the self-employed.