Food Preparation Workers Salary in St. Cloud, MN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • St. Cloud, MN

Median annual salary $31,740 -7.2% vs national
Median hourly $15.26
10th percentile $28,180
90th percentile $44,190
Employed locally 830
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
St. Cloud, MN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,180
    25th
    $28,740
    50th (median)
    $31,740
    75th
    $36,800
    90th
    $44,190

    St. Cloud economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,670 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Rochester, MN $35,380
    Fargo, ND-MN $35,250
    Grand Forks, ND-MN $34,640
    Mankato, MN $34,460
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $33,120

    Related occupations in St. Cloud, MN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,120
    Waiters and Waitresses $22,990
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,180
    Bartenders $24,390
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $43,840
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant $34,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in St. Cloud?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in St. Cloud, MN is $15.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.07 or more per hour.

    Is St. Cloud above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in St. Cloud, MN is 7.2% 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 St. Cloud?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $28,180 per year in St. Cloud, MN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,740.