Food Preparation Worker salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Food Preparation Workers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $35,080 a year ($16.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,780 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $35,500. There are 5.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,470 | $15.13 |
| 25th percentile | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| Median | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| 75th percentile | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Average (mean) | $36,910 | $17.75 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,923.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,461.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,349.23 |
| Weekly | $674.62 |
| Hourly | $16.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,630 | 14,810 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,560 | 10,780 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $33,840 | 300 |
| Salisbury, MD | $31,460 | 320 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $31,290 | 560 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,290 | $16.01 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Cooks, All Other | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,090 | $15.91 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,760 | $18.63 |
| Bartender | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Dishwasher | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $37,390 | $17.98 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $35,080 a year, or $16.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $46,780 a year. The top 25% earn $37,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,470 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $33,540 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 6,830 food preparation workers are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.