Food Preparation Workers Salary in Wausau, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wausau, WI

Median annual salary $30,930 -9.6% vs national
Median hourly $14.87
10th percentile $21,440
90th percentile $39,230
Employed locally 420
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Wausau, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,440
    25th
    $28,020
    50th (median)
    $30,930
    75th
    $36,420
    90th
    $39,230

    Wausau economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,185 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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $37,330
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $35,830
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Wildwood-The Villages, FL $35,360
    Madison, WI $35,260
    Lewiston, ID-WA $35,210

    Related occupations in Wausau, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,890
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,010
    Bartenders $22,100
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,670
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,490
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,290

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Wausau, WI is $14.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.29 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Wausau, WI is 9.6% 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 Wausau?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,440 per year in Wausau, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,020.