Food Preparation Workers Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $29,770 -13% vs national
Median hourly $14.31
10th percentile $23,680
90th percentile $39,170
Employed locally 22,840
National median $34,220

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Type a city below to see how Houston, TX stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,680
    25th
    $26,510
    50th (median)
    $29,770
    75th
    $36,950
    90th
    $39,170

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 37% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 63% 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $33,310
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $30,250
    Midland, TX $29,620
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $29,570
    Sherman-Denison, TX $28,190
    Odessa, TX $27,970

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,960
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,830
    Cooks, Restaurant $33,760
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,200
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $26,370
    Bartenders $26,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Houston, TX is $14.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.13 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Houston, TX is 13% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,680 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,510.