Food Preparation Workers Salary in Traverse City, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Traverse City, MI

Median annual salary $32,140 -6.1% vs national
Median hourly $15.45
10th percentile $25,100
90th percentile $41,950
Employed locally 320
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Traverse City, MI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,100
    25th
    $29,200
    50th (median)
    $32,140
    75th
    $36,280
    90th
    $41,950

    Traverse City economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,495 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 41% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 59% 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
    Minot, ND $36,340
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $35,490
    Ann Arbor, MI $35,400
    Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $35,260
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $34,820

    Related occupations in Traverse City, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,600
    Waiters and Waitresses$35,950
    Cooks, Restaurant$36,650
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$39,510
    Bartenders$44,520
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$30,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Traverse City?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Traverse City, MI is $15.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.61 or more per hour.

    Is Traverse City above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Traverse City, MI is 6.1% 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 Traverse City?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $25,100 per year in Traverse City, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,200.