Food Preparation Worker salary in State College, PA
Food Preparation Workers in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $31,210 a year ($15.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,860 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $30,840. There are 3.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $31,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,040 | $10.60 |
| 25th percentile | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| Median | $31,210 | $15.01 |
| 75th percentile | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Average (mean) | $31,500 | $15.15 |
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 | $2,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,300.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,200.38 |
| Weekly | $600.19 |
| Hourly | $15.01 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,560 | 10,780 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $33,430 | 1,360 |
| Lancaster, PA | $31,580 | 940 |
| Reading, PA | $31,580 | 590 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $31,500 | 120 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $31,370 | 970 |
| Lebanon, PA | $31,200 | 180 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $31,100 | 430 |
| Altoona, PA | $30,300 | 270 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $30,120 | 3,290 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $29,890 | 170 |
| Erie, PA | $29,620 | 370 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $29,210 | 940 |
| Williamsport, PA | $28,480 | 190 |
| Johnstown, PA | $24,920 | 120 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,790 | $13.36 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Bartender | $28,100 | $13.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,500 | $20.44 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,720 | $13.81 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| Dishwasher | $28,950 | $13.92 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,560 | $28.15 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in State College, PA
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 State College, PA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the State College, PA metro area is $31,210 a year, or $15.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $37,860 a year. The top 25% earn $36,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,040 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,660 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in State College, PA?
About 260 food preparation workers are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.