Food Preparation Workers Salary in Portland, ME

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-South Portland, ME

Median annual salary $36,980 +8.1% vs national
Median hourly $17.78
10th percentile $31,580
90th percentile $45,840
Employed locally 2,420
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Portland, ME
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,580
    25th
    $33,660
    50th (median)
    $36,980
    75th
    $39,810
    90th
    $45,840

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 42% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 58% 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
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $40,220
    Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $38,390
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $38,200
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $38,060
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $37,920
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $37,570

    Related occupations in Portland, ME

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,150
    Waiters and Waitresses $45,010
    Cooks, Restaurant $46,960
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $49,730
    Bartenders $51,180
    Dishwashers $35,360

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Portland, ME is $17.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.77 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Portland, ME is 8.1% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $31,580 per year in Portland, ME. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,660.