The average salary for a food preparation worker in Massachusetts is around $38,900 per year.
Avg Salary
Food preparation workers earn an average yearly salary of $38,900.
Wages typically start from $34,280 and go up to $48,420.
49% below national average Updated in 2025
Food preparation worker earnings by seniority
Top-level food preparation worker earnings begin at:
$23.28 per hour
$48,420 per year
Senior-level food preparation worker earnings begin at:
$21.43 per hour
$44,580 per year
Mid-level food preparation worker earnings begin at:
$18.70 per hour
$38,900 per year
Junior-level food preparation worker earnings begin at:
$17.34 per hour
$36,060 per year
Starting level food preparation worker earnings begin at:
$16.48 per hour
$34,280 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Food preparation worker salary by state
| State Name | Average 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 |
| Connecticut | $36,650 |
| Vermont | $36,550 |
| Wyoming | $36,110 |
| Maine | $36,030 |
| Delaware | $35,930 |
| Florida | $35,920 |
| Alaska | $35,720 |
| New York | $35,610 |
| New Jersey | $35,540 |
| Maryland | $35,500 |
| Rhode Island | $35,470 |
| Georgia | $35,250 |
| Nebraska | $35,210 |
| Virginia | $34,900 |
| Illinois | $34,850 |
| Minnesota | $34,850 |
| Ohio | $34,530 |
| Wisconsin | $34,070 |
| Montana | $33,860 |
| Utah | $33,540 |
| Nevada | $33,460 |
| New Mexico | $33,370 |
| South Carolina | $32,180 |
| Idaho | $31,510 |
| Missouri | $31,510 |
| Michigan | $31,180 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,840 |
| Texas | $30,650 |
| South Dakota | $30,430 |
| Iowa | $30,360 |
| Kansas | $30,280 |
| North Carolina | $30,260 |
| Indiana | $29,700 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | $29,650 |
| Tennessee | $28,700 |
| Oklahoma | $28,540 |
| West Virginia | $28,360 |
| Alabama | $27,930 |
| Arkansas | $27,660 |
| Kentucky | $26,850 |
| Mississippi | $26,240 |
| Louisiana | $23,620 |
| Guam | $20,150 |
| Puerto Rico | $18,090 |
How do food preparation worker salaries compare to similar careers?
Food preparation workers earn about the same as related careers in Massachusetts. On average, they make less than restaurant cooks but more than maitres d'.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Restaurant cook salary | $46K |
| Bartender salary | $37K |
| Food server salary | $38K |
| Dietetic technician salary | $40K |
| Baker salary | $38K |
| Food preparation worker salary | $39K |
| Food batchmaker salary | $37K |
| Barista salary | $36K |
| Maitre d' salary | $35K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)