Food Preparation Workers Salary in Trenton, NJ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Trenton-Princeton, NJ

Median annual salary $35,050 +2.4% vs national
Median hourly $16.85
10th percentile $31,470
90th percentile $44,790
Employed locally 1,140
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Trenton, NJ
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,470
    25th
    $31,490
    50th (median)
    $35,050
    75th
    $37,050
    90th
    $44,790

    Trenton economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,333 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 36% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 64% 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $36,330
    Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $34,300
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $33,280
    Vineland, NJ $33,280
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $31,470

    Related occupations in Trenton, NJ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$33,620
    Waiters and Waitresses$37,360
    Cooks, Restaurant$37,530
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$45,930
    Bartenders$44,740
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$33,890

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Trenton, NJ is $16.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.04 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Trenton, NJ is 2.4% 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 Trenton?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $31,470 per year in Trenton, NJ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,490.