Food Preparation Worker salary in Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT
Food Preparation Workers in the Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT metro area earn a median of $34,420 a year ($16.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,350 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% higher than the Utah statewide median of $33,540. There are 5.2 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,920, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,920 | $11.50 |
| 25th percentile | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| Median | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| 75th percentile | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,350 | $20.84 |
| Average (mean) | $33,920 | $16.31 |
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 | $2,868.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,434.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,323.85 |
| Weekly | $661.92 |
| Hourly | $16.55 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. George, UT | $34,800 | 670 |
| Ogden, UT | $34,430 | 1,530 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $33,370 | 4,880 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $30,400 | 450 |
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 Utah statewide figures.
Related jobs in Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,710 | $13.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,100 | $14.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Dishwasher | $31,180 | $14.99 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,210 | $14.04 |
| Bartender | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,540 | $27.66 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT
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 Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT metro area is $34,420 a year, or $16.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT metro area earn at least $43,350 a year. The top 25% earn $38,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,920 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,980 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT?
About 1,580 food preparation workers are employed in the Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT metro area, not counting the self-employed.