Food Preparation Workers Salary in Los Angeles, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median annual salary $37,580 +9.8% vs national
Median hourly $18.07
10th percentile $35,270
90th percentile $47,860
Employed locally 39,020
National median $34,220

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Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Los Angeles, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,270
    25th
    $35,890
    50th (median)
    $37,580
    75th
    $43,680
    90th
    $47,860

    Los Angeles economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 40% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 60% 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
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $40,810
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Salinas, CA $38,670
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $38,200

    Related occupations in Los Angeles, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $36,480
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,060
    Cooks, Restaurant $44,700
    Cooks, Fast Food $36,360
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $46,030
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $35,890

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Los Angeles?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Los Angeles, CA is $18.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.51 or more per hour.

    Is Los Angeles above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Los Angeles, CA is 9.8% 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 Los Angeles?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $35,270 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,890.