Food Preparation Workers Salary in Appleton, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Appleton, WI

Median annual salary $31,680 -7.4% vs national
Median hourly $15.23
10th percentile $25,230
90th percentile $42,490
Employed locally 750
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Appleton, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,230
    25th
    $27,810
    50th (median)
    $31,680
    75th
    $36,760
    90th
    $42,490

    Appleton economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $83,919 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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $37,330
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $35,830
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Wildwood-The Villages, FL $35,360
    Madison, WI $35,260
    Lewiston, ID-WA $35,210

    Related occupations in Appleton, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,350
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,130
    Bartenders $22,670
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,860
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,620
    Dishwashers $23,810

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Appleton, WI is $15.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.66 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Appleton, WI is 7.4% 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 Appleton?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $25,230 per year in Appleton, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,810.