Food Preparation Worker salary in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
Food Preparation Workers in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area earn a median of $31,290 a year ($15.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,450 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 12% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $35,500. There are 5.2 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| 25th percentile | $29,460 | $14.16 |
| Median | $31,290 | $15.05 |
| 75th percentile | $35,970 | $17.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,450 | $18.49 |
| Average (mean) | $32,550 | $15.65 |
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 | $2,607.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,303.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,203.46 |
| Weekly | $601.73 |
| Hourly | $15.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,290 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 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $35,080 | 6,830 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,560 | 10,780 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $33,840 | 300 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $31,620 | 230 |
| Salisbury, MD | $31,460 | 320 |
| Morgantown, WV | $30,620 | 370 |
| Beckley, WV | $29,290 | 250 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $29,040 | 310 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $27,980 | 160 |
| Charleston, WV | $27,970 | 310 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $27,370 | 160 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $24,960 | 850 |
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 Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,620 | $13.28 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,330 | $16.51 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Bartender | $33,620 | $16.17 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $33,920 | $16.31 |
| Dishwasher | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $33,170 | $15.95 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,510 | $28.61 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
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 Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area is $31,290 a year, or $15.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area earn at least $38,450 a year. The top 25% earn $35,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,960 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,460 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV?
About 560 food preparation workers are employed in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.