Food Production Worker Salary in the United States

How much does a Food Production Worker make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Production Worker in the United States is $46,207 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $54,973
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,273 to $50,795
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,782

Key Factors That Influence Food Production Worker Salaries

A Food Production Worker'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 Experience Level Affects Food Production Worker Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Food Production Worker's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $41,885
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $46,549
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $52,821
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $56,747
  • Expert (over 8 years): $82,471
Levels Salary
Machine O... Level Food Production Worker$41,885
Food Prod... Level Food Production Worker$46,549
Machine O... Level Food Production Worker$52,821
Machine O... Level Food Production Worker$56,747
Machine O... Level Food Production Worker$82,471

How Do Food Production Worker 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 Production Workers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $51,160.
  • California: $50,966.
  • Massachusetts: $50,287.

Top Paying Cities for Food Production Workers

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: $58,280
  • San Francisco: $57,642
  • Oakland: $56,427

What Skills Can Increase a Food Production Worker's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.99% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Machine Operation (Mentioned in 3.23% Job Postings): Applying methods and techniques to implement, maintain, repair, design, and update various machines following specific rules to ensure safety.
  • Container (Mentioned in 2.39% Job Postings): Container is an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.99%
Machine Operation 3.23%
Container 2.39%

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 Production Worker's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $49,903
8%
Dedication $49,441
7%
Collaboration $48,055
4%

Food Production Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food Production Worker roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Food Production Worker positions in MFG Durable or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Production Worker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Food Production Worker

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Media$60,069$29.030%
Insurance$57,758$28.025%
Construction$55,448$27.020%
Financial Services$53,138$26.015%
Aerospace & Defense$50,827$24.010%

How Education impacts a Food Production Worker's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Food Production Workers enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Production Worker with a No Diploma is between $44,700 and $47,709).

Food Production Worker Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Food Production Worker
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 85.7%
High School 85.7%
Associates 9.5%
Bachelors 4.8%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Food Production Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Food Production Worker'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 September 01, 2026
$41,273
Average $46,207/year
$50,795
$3,439
Average $3,851/month
$4,233
$794
Average $889/week
$977
$20
Average $22/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $50,795 $4,233 $977 $24
Average $46,207 $3,851 $889 $22
25th Percentile $41,273 $3,439 $794 $20

Most common benefits for Food Production Worker

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Food Production Worker

Here are companies hiring for Food Production Worker and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Food Production Worker

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Food Production Worker?

The Media industry offers the highest average compensation for Food Production Worker roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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