Food Preparation Workers Salary in Eau Claire, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Eau Claire, WI

Median annual salary $33,040 -3.4% vs national
Median hourly $15.89
10th percentile $23,940
90th percentile $39,860
Employed locally 640
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Eau Claire, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,940
    25th
    $27,910
    50th (median)
    $33,040
    75th
    $36,530
    90th
    $39,860

    Eau Claire economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,513 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 46% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 54% 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 Eau Claire, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,210
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,650
    Bartenders $22,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,870
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,090
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,310

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Eau Claire?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Eau Claire, WI is $15.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.86 or more per hour.

    Is Eau Claire above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Eau Claire, WI is 3.4% 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 Eau Claire?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,940 per year in Eau Claire, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,910.