Food Preparation Workers Salary in Madison, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Madison, WI

Median annual salary $35,260 +3% vs national
Median hourly $16.95
10th percentile $26,370
90th percentile $45,370
Employed locally 2,530
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Madison, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,370
    25th
    $29,680
    50th (median)
    $35,260
    75th
    $39,570
    90th
    $45,370

    Madison economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,827 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 41% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 59% 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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $37,330
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $35,830
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Wildwood-The Villages, FL $35,360
    Lewiston, ID-WA $35,210
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $34,750

    Related occupations in Madison, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,920
    Waiters and Waitresses $30,520
    Bartenders $22,450
    Cooks, Restaurant $38,400
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,580
    Cooks, Fast Food $28,490

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Madison, WI is $16.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.63 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Madison, WI is 3% 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 Madison?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,370 per year in Madison, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,680.