Food Preparation Workers Salary in Minneapolis, MN-WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Median annual salary $35,660 +4.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.14
10th percentile $29,310
90th percentile $46,190
Employed locally 16,060
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Minneapolis, MN-WI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,310
    25th
    $29,970
    50th (median)
    $35,660
    75th
    $38,230
    90th
    $46,190

    Minneapolis economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $98,180 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
    Rochester, MN $35,380
    Fargo, ND-MN $35,250
    Grand Forks, ND-MN $34,640
    Mankato, MN $34,460
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $33,120
    Duluth, MN-WI $33,010

    Related occupations in Minneapolis, MN-WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$34,620
    Waiters and Waitresses$25,620
    Cooks, Restaurant$39,710
    Bartenders$27,250
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$46,460
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$29,970

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Minneapolis, MN-WI is $17.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.45 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Minneapolis, MN-WI is 4.2% 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 Minneapolis?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $29,310 per year in Minneapolis, MN-WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,970.