Food Preparation Worker salary in Salem, OR
Food Preparation Workers in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $37,300 a year ($17.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 990 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,590 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is about the same as the Oregon statewide median of $37,450. There are 5.2 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| 25th percentile | $34,520 | $16.60 |
| Median | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| 75th percentile | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Average (mean) | $39,160 | $18.83 |
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 | $3,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,554.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,434.62 |
| Weekly | $717.31 |
| Hourly | $17.93 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $38,730 | 6,870 |
| Bend, OR | $38,010 | 760 |
| Corvallis, OR | $36,510 | 330 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $36,160 | 980 |
| Albany, OR | $35,860 | 260 |
| Medford, OR | $35,440 | 510 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $35,430 | 240 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,690 | $21.49 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,870 | $16.29 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,910 | $16.78 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,520 | $16.60 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $48,720 | $23.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Bartender | $38,410 | $18.46 |
| Dishwasher | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $49,900 | $23.99 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Salem, OR metro area is $37,300 a year, or $17.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $48,590 a year. The top 25% earn $42,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,510 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $34,520 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Salem, OR?
About 990 food preparation workers are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.