Food Preparation Worker salary in Worcester, MA
Food Preparation Workers in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $36,550 a year ($17.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,400 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 6% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $38,900. There are 4.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $38,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,990 | $15.38 |
| 25th percentile | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| Median | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| 75th percentile | $41,490 | $19.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Average (mean) | $38,700 | $18.61 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $40,140 | 510 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $39,660 | 9,630 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $38,660 | 670 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $36,930 | 310 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $36,250 | 3,870 |
| Springfield, MA | $36,020 | 810 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $40,780 | $19.61 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,610 | $16.64 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,500 | $21.87 |
| Bartender | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Dishwasher | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $33,620 | $16.17 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,620 | $31.07 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Worcester, MA metro area is $36,550 a year, or $17.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $47,400 a year. The top 25% earn $41,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,990 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $34,990 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Worcester, MA?
About 1,390 food preparation workers are employed in the Worcester, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.