Food Preparation Worker salary in St. Cloud, MN
Food Preparation Workers in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn a median of $33,540 a year ($16.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 890 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,820 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 4% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $34,850. There are 8.6 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $34,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in St. Cloud, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| 25th percentile | $29,150 | $14.01 |
| Median | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| 75th percentile | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Average (mean) | $34,220 | $16.45 |
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 | $2,795 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,397.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,290 |
| Weekly | $645 |
| Hourly | $16.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $36,590 | 550 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $35,650 | 270 |
| Rochester, MN | $35,470 | 790 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35,100 | 16,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,900 | 660 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,010 | 1,050 |
| Mankato, MN | $33,440 | 390 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $30,360 | 1,170 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Cloud, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $40,590 | $19.52 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,010 | $14.91 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $23,520 | $11.31 |
| Bartender | $25,970 | $12.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Dishwasher | $29,830 | $14.34 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,500 | $29.09 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in St. Cloud, MN
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 St. Cloud, MN?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the St. Cloud, MN metro area is $33,540 a year, or $16.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in St. Cloud, MN?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn at least $43,820 a year. The top 25% earn $37,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in St. Cloud, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,210 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,150 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in St. Cloud, MN?
About 890 food preparation workers are employed in the St. Cloud, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.