Food Preparation Workers Salary in Brownsville, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Brownsville-Harlingen, TX

Median annual salary $23,220 -32.1% vs national
Median hourly $11.16
10th percentile $18,700
90th percentile $33,970
Employed locally 2,640
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Brownsville, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,700
    25th
    $21,900
    50th (median)
    $23,220
    75th
    $26,620
    90th
    $33,970

    Brownsville economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $51,334 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 45% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 55% 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $33,310
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $30,250
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $29,770
    Midland, TX $29,620
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $29,570
    Sherman-Denison, TX $28,190

    Related occupations in Brownsville, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $21,820
    Waiters and Waitresses $22,580
    Cooks, Restaurant $27,640
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $29,820
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $24,580
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $22,460

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Brownsville, TX is $11.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.30 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Brownsville, TX is 32.1% 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 Brownsville?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $18,700 per year in Brownsville, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,900.