Food Preparation Worker salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Food Preparation Workers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $39,660 a year ($19.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,450 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $38,900. There are 3.6 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $41,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| 25th percentile | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Median | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| 75th percentile | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,450 | $23.29 |
| Average (mean) | $41,630 | $20.01 |
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 | $3,305 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,652.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,525.38 |
| Weekly | $762.69 |
| Hourly | $19.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $40,140 | 510 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $38,660 | 670 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $36,930 | 310 |
| Worcester, MA | $36,550 | 1,390 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $36,330 | 860 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $36,250 | 3,870 |
| Springfield, MA | $36,020 | 810 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $39,600 | $19.04 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,090 | $22.64 |
| Bartender | $37,760 | $18.15 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $35,140 | $16.89 |
| Dishwasher | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,210 | $18.37 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $39,660 a year, or $19.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $48,450 a year. The top 25% earn $45,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,760 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $36,570 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 9,630 food preparation workers are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.