Food Preparation Workers Salary in Waterbury, CT

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterbury-Shelton, CT

Median annual salary $35,490 +3.7% vs national
Median hourly $17.06
10th percentile $32,640
90th percentile $37,540
Employed locally 1,250
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Waterbury, CT
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,640
    25th
    $34,050
    50th (median)
    $35,490
    75th
    $36,270
    90th
    $37,540

    Waterbury economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,365 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
    District of Columbia $38,440
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $36,520
    Grand Junction, CO $36,140
    New Haven, CT $35,630
    Connecticut $35,420
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $35,310

    Related occupations in Waterbury, CT

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $33,300
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,360
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,960
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $48,400
    Dishwashers $34,060
    Bartenders $33,740

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Waterbury, CT is $17.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.44 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Waterbury, CT is 3.7% 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 Waterbury?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $32,640 per year in Waterbury, CT. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,050.