Food Preparation Workers Salary in Lakeland, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Median annual salary $33,390 -2.4% vs national
Median hourly $16.05
10th percentile $27,600
90th percentile $39,740
Employed locally 1,760
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Lakeland, FL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,600
    25th
    $31,010
    50th (median)
    $33,390
    75th
    $36,500
    90th
    $39,740

    Lakeland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $63,644 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 52% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 48% 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 Lakeland, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,280
    Waiters and Waitresses$28,900
    Cooks, Restaurant$35,300
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,800
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$37,310
    Bartenders$28,260

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Lakeland, FL is $16.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.36 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Lakeland, FL is 2.4% 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 Lakeland?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $27,600 per year in Lakeland, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,010.