Food Preparation Worker salary in Utah
Food Preparation Workers in Utah earn a median of $33,540 a year ($16.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,290 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $35,320. Utah ranks 30th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 6.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Utah
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,740 | $12.85 |
| 25th percentile | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| Median | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| 75th percentile | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Average (mean) | $34,580 | $16.63 |
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 | $2,795 |
| 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 cities in Utah
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. George, UT | $34,800 | 670 |
| Ogden, UT | $34,430 | 1,530 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $34,420 | 1,580 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $33,370 | 4,880 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $30,400 | 450 |
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 |
Related jobs in Utah
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,490 | $17.55 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,200 | $18.36 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,800 | $15.29 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $31,150 | $14.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,610 | $14.24 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,010 | $12.99 |
| Dishwasher | $31,830 | $15.30 |
| Bartender | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,060 | $28.39 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $37,180 | $17.87 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Utah
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 Utah?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Utah is $33,540 a year, or $16.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Utah?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Utah earn at least $45,290 a year. The top 25% earn $38,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Utah?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,740 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,770 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Utah?
About 10,530 food preparation workers are employed in Utah, not counting the self-employed.