Food Preparation Workers Salary in Punta Gorda, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Punta Gorda, FL

Median annual salary $35,470 +3.7% vs national
Median hourly $17.05
10th percentile $28,580
90th percentile $41,030
Employed locally 680
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Punta Gorda, FL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,580
    25th
    $32,300
    50th (median)
    $35,470
    75th
    $37,040
    90th
    $41,030

    Punta Gorda economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,154 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 54% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 46% 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
    Naples-Marco Island, FL $36,980
    Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL $36,350
    Flagstaff, AZ $36,110
    North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $36,010
    South Florida nonmetropolitan area $35,980
    Jacksonville, FL $35,630

    Related occupations in Punta Gorda, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,320
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,870
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,360
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $43,230
    Bartenders $28,430
    Dishwashers $29,310

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Punta Gorda?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Punta Gorda, FL is $17.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.46 or more per hour.

    Is Punta Gorda above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Punta Gorda, FL is 3.7% 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 Punta Gorda?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $28,580 per year in Punta Gorda, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $32,300.