Food Preparation Worker salary in Kahului-Wailuku, HI
Food Preparation Workers in the Kahului-Wailuku, HI metro area earn a median of $46,680 a year ($22.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,710 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 22% higher than the Hawaii statewide median of $38,160. There are 9.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Kahului-Wailuku, HI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| 25th percentile | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Median | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| 75th percentile | $53,130 | $25.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,710 | $34.00 |
| Average (mean) | $48,150 | $23.15 |
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 | $3,890 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,945 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,795.38 |
| Weekly | $897.69 |
| Hourly | $22.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in Hawaii 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $37,300 | 4,210 |
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 Hawaii statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kahului-Wailuku, HI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $55,400 | $26.64 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $82,550 | $39.69 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $56,600 | $27.21 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Bartender | $86,280 | $41.48 |
| Dishwasher | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $49,400 | $23.75 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kahului-Wailuku, HI
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 Kahului-Wailuku, HI?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Kahului-Wailuku, HI metro area is $46,680 a year, or $22.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Kahului-Wailuku, HI?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Kahului-Wailuku, HI metro area earn at least $70,710 a year. The top 25% earn $53,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Kahului-Wailuku, HI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,510 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $36,780 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Kahului-Wailuku, HI?
About 720 food preparation workers are employed in the Kahului-Wailuku, HI metro area, not counting the self-employed.