Food Preparation Worker salary in Vermont
Food Preparation Workers in Vermont earn a median of $36,550 a year ($17.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,020 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $35,320. Vermont ranks 12th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 4.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $38,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Vermont
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| 25th percentile | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| Median | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| 75th percentile | $42,920 | $20.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| Average (mean) | $38,850 | $18.68 |
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 | $3,045.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,522.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,405.77 |
| Weekly | $702.88 |
| Hourly | $17.57 |
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 Vermont
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $37,040 | 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 Vermont
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Cooks, All Other | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Bartender | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| Dishwasher | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,440 | $31.46 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $32,420 | $15.59 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Vermont
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 Vermont?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Vermont is $36,550 a year, or $17.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Vermont?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Vermont earn at least $49,020 a year. The top 25% earn $42,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Vermont?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,840 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $35,220 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Vermont?
About 1,350 food preparation workers are employed in Vermont, not counting the self-employed.