Food Preparation Workers Salary in Gainesville, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Gainesville, FL

Median annual salary $33,860 -1.1% vs national
Median hourly $16.28
10th percentile $27,900
90th percentile $38,740
Employed locally 1,130
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Gainesville, FL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,900
    25th
    $30,860
    50th (median)
    $33,860
    75th
    $36,380
    90th
    $38,740

    Gainesville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $58,946 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 57% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 43% 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
    Naples-Marco Island, FL $36,980
    Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL $36,350
    Flagstaff, AZ $36,110
    North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $36,010
    South Florida nonmetropolitan area $35,980
    Jacksonville, FL $35,630

    Related occupations in Gainesville, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,580
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,720
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,130
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,530
    Bartenders $29,870
    Dishwashers $28,830

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Gainesville, FL is $16.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.54 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Gainesville, FL is 1.1% 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 Gainesville?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $27,900 per year in Gainesville, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,860.