Food Preparation Workers Salary in Ithaca, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ithaca, NY

Median annual salary $35,990 +5.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.30
10th percentile $31,200
90th percentile $44,150
Employed locally 270
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Ithaca, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,200
    25th
    $31,210
    50th (median)
    $35,990
    75th
    $38,320
    90th
    $44,150

    Ithaca economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,012 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 49% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 51% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $36,330
    Albany, OR $35,800
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $35,520
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $35,310
    Kingston, NY $35,180

    Related occupations in Ithaca, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,090
    Waiters and Waitresses $46,610
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,840
    Bartenders $49,940
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,870
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $35,570

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Ithaca, NY is $17.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.35 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Ithaca, NY is 5.2% 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 Ithaca?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $31,200 per year in Ithaca, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,210.