Food Preparation Workers Salary in Lancaster, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lancaster, PA

Median annual salary $30,030 -12.2% vs national
Median hourly $14.44
10th percentile $23,250
90th percentile $38,220
Employed locally 980
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Lancaster, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,250
    25th
    $28,190
    50th (median)
    $30,030
    75th
    $34,770
    90th
    $38,220

    Lancaster economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $83,703 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 36% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 64% 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
    Napa, CA $43,260
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $36,890
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Grants Pass, OR $35,640
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $35,600
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $34,820

    Related occupations in Lancaster, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,570
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,450
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,780
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,040
    Bartenders $28,410
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant $28,550

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Lancaster, PA is $14.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.77 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Lancaster, PA is 12.2% 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 Lancaster?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,250 per year in Lancaster, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,190.