Food Preparation Worker salary in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
Food Preparation Workers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median of $36,250 a year ($17.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,220 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% higher than the Rhode Island statewide median of $35,470. There are 5.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $33,140 | $15.93 |
| Median | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| 75th percentile | $41,390 | $19.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Average (mean) | $37,950 | $18.25 |
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 | $3,020.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,510.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,394.23 |
| Weekly | $697.12 |
| Hourly | $17.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $40,140 | 510 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $39,660 | 9,630 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $38,660 | 670 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $36,930 | 310 |
| Worcester, MA | $36,550 | 1,390 |
| Springfield, MA | $36,020 | 810 |
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 Rhode Island statewide figures.
Related jobs in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| Bartender | $35,680 | $17.15 |
| Dishwasher | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,870 | $16.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $79,340 | $38.15 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,400 | $15.10 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $36,250 a year, or $17.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn at least $45,220 a year. The top 25% earn $41,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $33,140 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
About 3,870 food preparation workers are employed in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.