Food Preparation Workers Salary in Tampa, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

Median annual salary $35,600 +4% vs national
Median hourly $17.12
10th percentile $28,060
90th percentile $38,070
Employed locally 9,730
National median $34,220

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Type a city below to see how Tampa, FL stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Tampa, FL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,060
    25th
    $30,420
    50th (median)
    $35,600
    75th
    $36,760
    90th
    $38,070

    Tampa economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,254 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 50% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 50% 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 Tampa, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,130
    Waiters and Waitresses $30,820
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,620
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $42,530
    Bartenders $36,140
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $29,120

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Tampa, FL is $17.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.78 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Tampa, FL is 4% 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 Tampa?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $28,060 per year in Tampa, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,420.