Food Preparation Worker salary in Tucson, AZ
Food Preparation Workers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $35,260 a year ($16.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,330 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 4% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $36,750. There are 6.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| 25th percentile | $31,870 | $15.32 |
| Median | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| 75th percentile | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Average (mean) | $35,990 | $17.30 |
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 | $2,938.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,469.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,356.15 |
| Weekly | $678.08 |
| Hourly | $16.95 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $37,710 | 570 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $37,580 | 11,910 |
| Yuma, AZ | $35,390 | 330 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $35,180 | 370 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $35,090 | 360 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $33,610 | 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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Cooks, All Other | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,690 | $15.24 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,200 | $18.36 |
| Bartender | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $33,560 | $16.14 |
| Dishwasher | $33,490 | $16.10 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,010 | $15.39 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,990 | $24.04 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $35,260 a year, or $16.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $42,330 a year. The top 25% earn $36,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,800 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $31,870 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Tucson, AZ?
About 2,350 food preparation workers are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.