Food Preparation Worker salary in Wausau, WI
Food Preparation Workers in the Wausau, WI metro area earn a median of $31,720 a year ($15.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,290 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 7% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $34,070. There are 6.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Wausau, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,650 | $11.37 |
| 25th percentile | $27,610 | $13.28 |
| Median | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| 75th percentile | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Average (mean) | $32,570 | $15.66 |
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 | $2,643.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,321.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,220 |
| Weekly | $610 |
| Hourly | $15.25 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $36,940 | 2,330 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $35,470 | 4,500 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35,100 | 16,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,900 | 660 |
| Kenosha, WI | $34,840 | 490 |
| Appleton, WI | $34,060 | 650 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,010 | 1,050 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $33,680 | 580 |
| Green Bay, WI | $32,720 | 1,260 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $32,340 | 500 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $32,150 | 490 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $31,720 | 320 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $30,810 | 370 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $30,460 | 500 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wausau, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,600 | $14.23 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,830 | $13.38 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| Bartender | $22,640 | $10.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Dishwasher | $27,860 | $13.40 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,750 | $16.23 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,340 | $13.14 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,690 | $12.83 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,910 | $31.69 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Wausau, WI
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 Wausau, WI?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Wausau, WI metro area is $31,720 a year, or $15.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Wausau, WI?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Wausau, WI metro area earn at least $44,290 a year. The top 25% earn $37,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Wausau, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,650 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,610 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Wausau, WI?
About 440 food preparation workers are employed in the Wausau, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.