Food Prep Helper Salary in the United States

How much does a Food Prep Helper make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Prep Helper in the United States is $31,857 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $15.

However, a Food Prep Helper's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $36,221
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29,344 to $34,141
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $27,056
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View as table View as graph 25% $29,344 10% $27,056 90% $36,221 75% $34,141 $31,857 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Food Prep Helper Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $34,141 $2,845 $657 $16
Average $31,857 $2,655 $613 $15
25th Percentile $29,344 $2,445 $564 $14
Check out Food Prep Helper Job Openings in the United States
Food Prep

Circle K - Broadview Heights, OH

Food Prep

Hyde Park Hospitality - Cleveland, OH

Food Prep

Taco Bell - Cambridge, OH

Food Prep

Taco Bell - Gypsum, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Food Prep Helper Salaries

A Food Prep Helper's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Food Prep Helper Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Food Prep Helpers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $35,272.
  • California: $35,138.
  • Massachusetts: $34,670.

Top Paying Cities for Food Prep Helpers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $40,181
  • San Francisco: $39,741
  • Oakland: $38,904

What Skills Can Increase a Food Prep Helper's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 14.61% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Foodservice (Mentioned in 2.87% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.
  • Catering (Mentioned in 1.44% Job Postings): Catering is the business of providing food service at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, hospital, pub, aircraft, cruise ship, park, festival, filming location or film studio.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 14.61%
Foodservice 2.87%
Catering 1.44%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Food Prep Helper's salary.
  • Generosity: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • WFM: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Generosity
$43,962
38%
WFM
$35,998
13%
Commitment
$35,361
11%
Analysis
$34,087
7%
Brand Awareness
$34,087
7%
Decision Making
$33,768
6%
Get Latest Data

Food Prep Helper Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food Prep Helper roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 32% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Food Prep Helper positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Prep Helper as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Food Prep Helper

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$37,591$18.018%
Pharmaceuticals$36,635$18.015%
Biotechnology$35,680$17.012%
Energy & Utilities$35,042$17.010%
Aerospace & Defense$34,405$17.08%

How Education impacts a Food Prep Helper's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Food Prep Helpers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Food Prep Helper with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $32,120 and $34,508).

Food Prep Helper Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Food Prep Helper
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.8%
High School 50.8%
Associates 24.9%
Bachelors 15.0%
Masters 0.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Food Prep Helper Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Food Prep Helper's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Food Prep Helper

Salaries for a Food Prep Helper can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $30,856 in 2023 to around $30,351 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Food Prep Helper salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Food Prep Helper Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$30,856
2024
$30,706
2025
$30,351
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $30,856
2024 $30,706
2025 $30,351
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Food Prep Helper

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Food Prep Helper

Here are companies hiring for Food Prep Helper and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Food Prep Helper Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Food Prep Helper job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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