Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
Washington leads at $40,910 a year. Pay is not adjusted for local prices; see each page for the cost-of-living view.
| Place | Median | 25th–75th |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 | $35,880–$47,390 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 | $38,070–$44,040 |
| California | $39,350 | $37,010–$44,540 |
| Colorado | $38,960 | $34,690–$44,740 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 | $36,060–$44,580 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 | $33,310–$46,920 |
| Oregon | $37,450 | $35,100–$42,860 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 | $31,510–$38,430 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 | $31,000–$39,330 |
| Arizona | $36,750 | $34,220–$39,160 |
| Connecticut | $36,650 | $35,340–$40,210 |
| Vermont | $36,550 | $35,220–$42,920 |
| Wyoming | $36,110 | $30,920–$39,610 |
| Maine | $36,030 | $33,760–$39,060 |
| Delaware | $35,930 | $31,860–$38,140 |
| Florida | $35,920 | $30,420–$37,440 |
| Alaska | $35,720 | $34,000–$38,610 |
| New York | $35,610 | $34,320–$40,250 |
| New Jersey | $35,540 | $33,530–$38,470 |
| Maryland | $35,500 | $33,020–$38,470 |
| Rhode Island | $35,470 | $32,200–$42,030 |
| Georgia | $35,250 | $29,610–$37,700 |
| Nebraska | $35,210 | $29,870–$37,440 |
| Virginia | $34,900 | $30,940–$37,310 |
| Illinois | $34,850 | $31,200–$37,880 |
| Minnesota | $34,850 | $30,550–$38,240 |
| Ohio | $34,530 | $28,930–$38,070 |
| Wisconsin | $34,070 | $28,870–$37,940 |
| Montana | $33,860 | $28,710–$37,110 |
| Utah | $33,540 | $29,770–$38,400 |
| Nevada | $33,460 | $28,870–$40,920 |
| New Mexico | $33,370 | $28,590–$35,840 |
| South Carolina | $32,180 | $27,860–$36,970 |
| Idaho | $31,510 | $27,530–$36,850 |
| Missouri | $31,510 | $29,220–$37,050 |
| Michigan | $31,180 | $27,690–$35,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,840 | $27,830–$36,080 |
| Texas | $30,650 | $27,110–$37,050 |
| South Dakota | $30,430 | $28,170–$34,140 |
| Iowa | $30,360 | $28,260–$36,200 |
| Kansas | $30,280 | $27,700–$35,290 |
| North Carolina | $30,260 | $26,610–$36,120 |
| Indiana | $29,700 | $27,550–$35,930 |
| Tennessee | $28,700 | $24,350–$35,820 |
| Oklahoma | $28,540 | $22,870–$33,960 |
| West Virginia | $28,360 | $23,280–$31,380 |
| Alabama | $27,930 | $22,000–$34,490 |
| Arkansas | $27,660 | $25,900–$32,390 |
| Kentucky | $26,850 | $22,790–$33,890 |
| Mississippi | $26,240 | $21,430–$30,100 |
| Louisiana | $23,620 | $21,480–$28,670 |
Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025.