EN

Occupation · SOC 35-2021

Food Preparation Workers

There are 893,600 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $35,320 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Food ServiceTypical education: No formal educational credential
893,600
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$35,320
Median pay a year
Middle half: $29,950–$38,550
135,700
Annual openings
10-year change: −3%
No formal educational credential
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 392 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $35,670 · LCA filings 063,530$35,6700
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $39,770 · LCA filings 044,930$39,7700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $35,410 · LCA filings 027,100$35,4100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $30,740 · LCA filings 021,700$30,7400
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $36,090 · LCA filings 019,630$36,0900
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $36,090 · LCA filings 017,060$36,0900
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $35,100 · LCA filings 016,810$35,1000
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $35,020 · LCA filings 016,240$35,0200
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $37,630 · LCA filings 014,810$37,6300
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $41,000 · LCA filings 014,470$41,0000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 720 · LCA filings 0$46,6807200
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 5,930 · LCA filings 0$45,5805,9300
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 11,060 · LCA filings 0$43,83011,0600
Napa, CAEmployment 620 · LCA filings 0$42,8106200
Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CAEmployment 1,410 · LCA filings 0$42,6401,4100

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
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $36,338 · Level III $38,771 · Level IV $41,184$33,925$36,338$38,771$41,184
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $38,854 · Level III $41,205 · Level IV $43,534$36,525$38,854$41,205$43,534
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $33,946 · Level III $36,941 · Level IV $39,957$30,930$33,946$36,941$39,957
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $29,453 · Level III $32,926 · Level IV $36,379$26,000$29,453$32,926$36,379
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $32,469 · Level III $35,464 · Level IV $38,480$29,453$32,469$35,464$38,480
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $31,886 · Level III $35,360 · Level IV $38,834$28,413$31,886$35,360$38,834
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $33,259 · Level III $36,358 · Level IV $39,437$30,181$33,259$36,358$39,437
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $29,162 · Level III $33,176 · Level IV $37,211$25,126$29,162$33,176$37,211
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $35,901 · Level III $38,667 · Level IV $41,413$33,155$35,901$38,667$41,413
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $40,186 · Level III $43,264 · Level IV $46,342$37,107$40,186$43,264$46,342

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

See Food Preparation Workers in every metro area

All 392 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

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Food Service

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

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