Food Preparation Workers Salary in Southwest Minnesota

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

Median annual salary $29,900 -12.6% vs national
Median hourly $14.37
10th percentile $27,510
90th percentile $39,950
Employed locally 980
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
Southwest Minnesota
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,510
    25th
    $28,430
    50th (median)
    $29,900
    75th
    $35,830
    90th
    $39,950

    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 Minnesota

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,680
    Waiters and Waitresses $23,170
    Bartenders $26,140
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,580
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $42,690
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant $34,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southwest Minnesota is $14.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.90 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Southwest Minnesota is 12.6% 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 Southwest Minnesota?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $27,510 per year in Southwest Minnesota. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,430.