Food Preparation Worker salary in Salisbury, MD
Food Preparation Workers in the Salisbury, MD metro area earn a median of $31,460 a year ($15.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,130 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 11% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $35,500. There are 5.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Salisbury, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $31,460 | $15.13 |
| 75th percentile | $35,320 | $16.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Average (mean) | $33,710 | $16.21 |
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 | $2,621.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,310.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,210 |
| Weekly | $605 |
| Hourly | $15.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,630 | 14,810 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $35,080 | 6,830 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,560 | 10,780 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $33,840 | 300 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $31,290 | 560 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salisbury, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,080 | $16.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Bartender | $34,890 | $16.78 |
| Dishwasher | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,470 | $28.59 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Salisbury, MD
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 Salisbury, MD?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Salisbury, MD metro area is $31,460 a year, or $15.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Salisbury, MD?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Salisbury, MD metro area earn at least $37,130 a year. The top 25% earn $35,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Salisbury, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $31,200 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Salisbury, MD?
About 320 food preparation workers are employed in the Salisbury, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.