Food Preparation Workers Salary in Northwest Minnesota

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

Median annual salary $32,100 -6.2% vs national
Median hourly $15.43
10th percentile $27,790
90th percentile $43,930
Employed locally 1,850
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Northwest Minnesota
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,790
    25th
    $28,560
    50th (median)
    $32,100
    75th
    $36,660
    90th
    $43,930

    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 Northwest Minnesota

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,760
    Waiters and Waitresses $23,070
    Bartenders $26,470
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,050
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,250
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant $34,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Northwest Minnesota is $15.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.84 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Northwest Minnesota is 6.2% 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 Northwest Minnesota?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $27,790 per year in Northwest Minnesota. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,560.