Food Preparation Workers Salary in Fargo, ND-MN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fargo, ND-MN

Median annual salary $35,250 +3% vs national
Median hourly $16.95
10th percentile $27,760
90th percentile $44,710
Employed locally 480
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Fargo, ND-MN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,760
    25th
    $29,690
    50th (median)
    $35,250
    75th
    $37,680
    90th
    $44,710

    Fargo economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,523 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $38,240
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $37,330
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $37,270
    Naples-Marco Island, FL $36,980
    Portland-South Portland, ME $36,980

    Related occupations in Fargo, ND-MN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,010
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,210
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,540
    Bartenders $27,180
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $43,570
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $39,810

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fargo, ND-MN is $16.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.54 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Fargo, ND-MN is 3% 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 Fargo?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $27,760 per year in Fargo, ND-MN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,690.