Food Preparation Workers Salary in Altoona, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Altoona, PA

Median annual salary $28,520 -16.7% vs national
Median hourly $13.71
10th percentile $20,890
90th percentile $35,800
Employed locally 300
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Altoona, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,890
    25th
    $24,590
    50th (median)
    $28,520
    75th
    $34,410
    90th
    $35,800

    Altoona economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 47% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 53% 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 Altoona, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,350
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,550
    Cooks, Restaurant $31,320
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,600
    Bartenders $21,780
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $34,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Altoona, PA is $13.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.35 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Altoona, PA is 16.7% 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 Altoona?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $20,890 per year in Altoona, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,590.