Food Preparation Workers Salary in Mankato, MN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Mankato, MN

Median annual salary $34,460 +0.7% vs national
Median hourly $16.57
10th percentile $28,230
90th percentile $42,590
Employed locally 380
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Mankato, MN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,230
    25th
    $29,230
    50th (median)
    $34,460
    75th
    $36,990
    90th
    $42,590

    Mankato economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,722 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 46% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 54% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Rochester, MN $35,380
    Fargo, ND-MN $35,250
    Grand Forks, ND-MN $34,640
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $33,120
    Duluth, MN-WI $33,010

    Related occupations in Mankato, MN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,700
    Waiters and Waitresses $22,900
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,670
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,100
    Bartenders $23,580
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant $33,470

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Mankato, MN is $16.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.83 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Mankato, MN is 0.7% 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 Mankato?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $28,230 per year in Mankato, MN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,230.