Food Preparation Workers Salary in Reading, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Reading, PA

Median annual salary $30,400 -11.2% vs national
Median hourly $14.62
10th percentile $22,230
90th percentile $39,060
Employed locally 700
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Reading, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,230
    25th
    $27,870
    50th (median)
    $30,400
    75th
    $35,580
    90th
    $39,060

    Reading economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,684 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 39% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 61% 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
    Napa, CA $43,260
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $36,890
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Grants Pass, OR $35,640
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $35,600
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $34,820

    Related occupations in Reading, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,320
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,020
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,360
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,510
    Bartenders $25,050
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,740

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Reading, PA is $14.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.13 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Reading, PA is 11.2% 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 Reading?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,230 per year in Reading, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,870.