Food Preparation Worker salary in Rochester, NY
Food Preparation Workers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $35,020 a year ($16.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,720 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% lower than the New York statewide median of $35,610. There are 5.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| Median | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| 75th percentile | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Average (mean) | $36,140 | $17.37 |
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 | $2,918.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,459.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,346.92 |
| Weekly | $673.46 |
| Hourly | $16.84 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $36,260 | 1,890 |
| Ithaca, NY | $36,140 | 280 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $35,670 | 63,530 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $35,550 | 1,660 |
| Binghamton, NY | $35,370 | 550 |
| Kingston, NY | $35,130 | 370 |
| Syracuse, NY | $35,020 | 1,520 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $34,700 | 3,290 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $34,200 | 300 |
| Elmira, NY | $34,010 | 160 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $33,250 | 760 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $32,390 | 210 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,380 | $16.05 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,430 | $16.07 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,310 | $21.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Bartender | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| Dishwasher | $33,880 | $16.29 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $33,750 | $16.22 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,080 | $31.77 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Rochester, NY metro area is $35,020 a year, or $16.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $44,720 a year. The top 25% earn $37,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $32,240 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Rochester, NY?
About 2,870 food preparation workers are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.