Food Preparation Workers Salary in Fairbanks, AK

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fairbanks-College, AK

Median annual salary $36,830 +7.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.71
10th percentile $30,130
90th percentile $43,670
Employed locally 310
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Fairbanks, AK
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,130
    25th
    $30,980
    50th (median)
    $36,830
    75th
    $40,560
    90th
    $43,670

    Fairbanks economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,722 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 43% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 57% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $36,490
    Anchorage, AK $36,480
    West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $36,140
    Yakima, WA $36,040
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $35,720

    Related occupations in Fairbanks, AK

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$30,390
    Cooks, Fast Food$35,950
    Waiters and Waitresses$27,040
    Cooks, Restaurant$37,350
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$46,640
    Bartenders$29,820

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fairbanks, AK is $17.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.55 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Fairbanks, AK is 7.6% 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 Fairbanks?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $30,130 per year in Fairbanks, AK. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,980.