Food Preparation Workers Salary in Detroit, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Median annual salary $35,490 +3.7% vs national
Median hourly $17.06
10th percentile $27,770
90th percentile $43,010
Employed locally 6,150
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Detroit, MI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,770
    25th
    $31,120
    50th (median)
    $35,490
    75th
    $36,880
    90th
    $43,010

    Detroit economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,123 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
    Minot, ND $36,340
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Ann Arbor, MI $35,400
    Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $35,260
    Minnesota $34,820
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $34,820

    Related occupations in Detroit, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,490
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,120
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,440
    Bartenders $38,730
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,950

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Detroit, MI is $17.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.17 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Detroit, MI is 3.7% above 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 Detroit?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $27,770 per year in Detroit, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,120.