Food Preparation Worker salary in Rhode Island
Food Preparation Workers in Rhode Island earn a median of $35,470 a year ($17.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,220 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,320. Rhode Island ranks 21st of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 5.6 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| Median | $35,470 | $17.06 |
| 75th percentile | $42,030 | $20.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Average (mean) | $37,910 | $18.23 |
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 | $2,955.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,477.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,364.23 |
| Weekly | $682.12 |
| Hourly | $17.06 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $36,250 | 3,870 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,490 | $15.14 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Bartender | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Dishwasher | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| 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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Rhode Island is $35,470 a year, or $17.06 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 Rhode Island?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Rhode Island earn at least $45,220 a year. The top 25% earn $42,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $32,200 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Rhode Island?
About 2,830 food preparation workers are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.