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Occupation · SOC 35-9099

Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other

There are 84,630 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $35,840 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

Food ServiceTypical education: No formal educational credential
84,630
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$35,840
Median pay a year
Middle half: $31,200–$39,880
11,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.5%
No formal educational credential
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 148 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $36,810 · LCA filings 014,270$36,8100
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $36,330 · LCA filings 03,340$36,3300
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $35,260 · LCA filings 03,180$35,2600
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $35,060 · LCA filings 02,770$35,0600
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $41,970 · LCA filings 02,740$41,9700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $39,930 · LCA filings 02,300$39,9300
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $37,390 · LCA filings 01,980$37,3900
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $31,080 · LCA filings 01,780$31,0800
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $35,770 · LCA filings 01,710$35,7700
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $38,590 · LCA filings 01,680$38,5900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Salem, OREmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$49,900400
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$49,400400
Bend, OREmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$45,810300
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 1,430 · LCA filings 0$44,7201,4300
Trenton–Princeton, NJEmployment 360 · LCA filings 0$43,3503600

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $38,106 · Level III $41,038 · Level IV $43,992$35,152$38,106$41,038$43,992
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $36,962 · Level III $39,229 · Level IV $41,475$34,715$36,962$39,229$41,475
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $37,315 · Level III $39,915 · Level IV $42,515$34,715$37,315$39,915$42,515
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $35,526 · Level III $38,147 · Level IV $40,747$32,926$35,526$38,147$40,747
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $43,118 · Level III $47,362 · Level IV $51,584$38,896$43,118$47,362$51,584
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $37,294 · Level III $41,579 · Level IV $45,864$33,010$37,294$41,579$45,864
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $35,755 · Level III $38,334 · Level IV $40,914$33,176$35,755$38,334$40,914
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $31,242 · Level III $34,923 · Level IV $38,626$27,539$31,242$34,923$38,626
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $35,069 · Level III $38,210 · Level IV $41,350$31,928$35,069$38,210$41,350
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $37,419 · Level III $39,998 · Level IV $42,578$34,840$37,419$39,998$42,578

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

See Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in every metro area

All 148 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Food Service

Fast Food and Counter WorkersWaiters and WaitressesCooks, RestaurantFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFood Preparation WorkersBartendersHosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopDining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology