Food Preparation Workers Salary in Allentown, PA-NJ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Median annual salary $31,470 -8% vs national
Median hourly $15.13
10th percentile $23,460
90th percentile $40,150
Employed locally 1,420
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Allentown, PA-NJ
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,460
    25th
    $28,720
    50th (median)
    $31,470
    75th
    $36,510
    90th
    $40,150

    Allentown economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 38% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 62% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $43,260
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $36,890
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Grants Pass, OR $35,640
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $35,600
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $34,820

    Related occupations in Allentown, PA-NJ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,230
    Waiters and Waitresses $31,470
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,750
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $40,630
    Bartenders $30,630
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $38,410

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Allentown?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Allentown, PA-NJ is $15.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.92 or more per hour.

    Is Allentown above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Allentown, PA-NJ is 8% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Allentown?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,460 per year in Allentown, PA-NJ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,720.