Food Preparation Worker salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Food Preparation Workers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $35,470 a year ($17.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,920 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 4% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $34,070. There are 5.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,080, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,250 | $13.58 |
| 25th percentile | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Median | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| 75th percentile | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Average (mean) | $35,080 | $16.86 |
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 | $2,955.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,477.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,364.23 |
| Weekly | $682.12 |
| Hourly | $17.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $36,940 | 2,330 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35,100 | 16,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,900 | 660 |
| Kenosha, WI | $34,840 | 490 |
| Appleton, WI | $34,060 | 650 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,010 | 1,050 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $33,680 | 580 |
| Green Bay, WI | $32,720 | 1,260 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $32,340 | 500 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $32,150 | 490 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $31,720 | 320 |
| Wausau, WI | $31,720 | 440 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $30,810 | 370 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $30,460 | 500 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,440 | $13.67 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,330 | $14.58 |
| Bartender | $25,970 | $12.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| Dishwasher | $29,170 | $14.02 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,010 | $13.47 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $25,470 | $12.25 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $35,470 a year, or $17.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $43,920 a year. The top 25% earn $38,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,250 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $30,310 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 4,500 food preparation workers are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.