Food Preparation Workers Salary in Southwest Maine

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $34,780 +1.6% vs national
Median hourly $16.72
10th percentile $29,920
90th percentile $41,790
Employed locally 1,360
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Southwest Maine stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
Southwest Maine
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,920
    25th
    $31,030
    50th (median)
    $34,780
    75th
    $37,940
    90th
    $41,790

    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 Southwest Maine

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $31,690
    Waiters and Waitresses $44,760
    Cooks, Restaurant $43,740
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $46,560
    Bartenders $37,710
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $38,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Southwest Maine?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southwest Maine is $16.72, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.61 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Maine above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Southwest Maine is 1.6% 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 Southwest Maine?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $29,920 per year in Southwest Maine. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,030.