Food Preparation Worker salary in Tulsa, OK
Food Preparation Workers in the Tulsa, OK metro area earn a median of $30,370 a year ($14.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,680 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 6% higher than the Oklahoma statewide median of $28,540. There are 3.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $30,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Tulsa, OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,820 | $10.49 |
| 25th percentile | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Median | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| 75th percentile | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Average (mean) | $30,430 | $14.63 |
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 | $2,530.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,265.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,168.08 |
| Weekly | $584.04 |
| Hourly | $14.60 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | $30,160 | 3,240 |
| Lawton, OK | $27,130 | 150 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $26,900 | 320 |
| Enid, OK | $24,810 | 60 |
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 Oklahoma statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tulsa, OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $33,410 | $16.06 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,100 | $13.51 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,750 | $14.79 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,460 | $12.72 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $18,350 | $8.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Bartender | $27,450 | $13.20 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,700 | $13.32 |
| Dishwasher | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,600 | $15.19 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Tulsa, OK
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 Tulsa, OK?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Tulsa, OK metro area is $30,370 a year, or $14.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Tulsa, OK?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Tulsa, OK metro area earn at least $36,680 a year. The top 25% earn $35,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Tulsa, OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,820 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $26,830 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Tulsa, OK?
About 1,750 food preparation workers are employed in the Tulsa, OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.