Food Preparation Workers Salary in Northeast Minnesota

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $31,880 -6.8% vs national
Median hourly $15.33
10th percentile $27,510
90th percentile $44,810
Employed locally 430
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Northeast Minnesota
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,510
    25th
    $28,800
    50th (median)
    $31,880
    75th
    $37,670
    90th
    $44,810

    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

    Related occupations in Northeast Minnesota

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$30,000
    Waiters and Waitresses$23,190
    Bartenders$26,400
    Cooks, Restaurant$36,680
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$42,690
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$34,380

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Northeast Minnesota?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Northeast Minnesota is $15.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.49 or more per hour.

    Is Northeast Minnesota above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Northeast Minnesota is 6.8% 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 Northeast Minnesota?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $27,510 per year in Northeast Minnesota. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,800.