Food Preparation Worker salary in Burlington-South Burlington, VT
Food Preparation Workers in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area earn a median of $37,040 a year ($17.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,080 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% higher than the Vermont statewide median of $36,550. There are 3.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $39,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Burlington-South Burlington, VT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| 25th percentile | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Median | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| 75th percentile | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| Average (mean) | $39,940 | $19.20 |
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 | $3,086.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,543.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,424.62 |
| Weekly | $712.31 |
| Hourly | $17.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Vermont at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Vermont statewide figures.
Related jobs in Burlington-South Burlington, VT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,690 | $18.60 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Cooks, All Other | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $61,620 | $29.63 |
| Bartender | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $51,440 | $24.73 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,120 | $14.96 |
| Dishwasher | $37,170 | $17.87 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $33,540 | $16.13 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $41,090 | $19.76 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,920 | $33.61 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Burlington-South Burlington, VT
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 Burlington-South Burlington, VT?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area is $37,040 a year, or $17.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area earn at least $51,080 a year. The top 25% earn $45,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,960 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $36,340 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?
About 450 food preparation workers are employed in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area, not counting the self-employed.