Food Preparation Workers Salary in Hattiesburg, MS

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hattiesburg, MS

Median annual salary $27,100 -20.8% vs national
Median hourly $13.03
10th percentile $17,150
90th percentile $35,040
Employed locally 520
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Hattiesburg, MS
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,150
    25th
    $20,840
    50th (median)
    $27,100
    75th
    $35,040
    90th
    $35,040

    Hattiesburg economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,008 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
    Williamsport, PA $28,940
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $27,430
    Jackson, MS $26,700
    Gulfport-Biloxi, MS $23,600

    Related occupations in Hattiesburg, MS

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,160
    Waiters and Waitresses$18,480
    Cooks, Fast Food$22,880
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$30,520
    Cooks, Restaurant$28,280
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$24,590

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Hattiesburg, MS is $13.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.36 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Hattiesburg, MS is 20.8% 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 Hattiesburg?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $17,150 per year in Hattiesburg, MS. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,840.