Food Preparation Worker salary in Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ
Food Preparation Workers in the Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ metro area earn a median of $35,090 a year ($16.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,930 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 5% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $36,750. There are 4.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| 25th percentile | $32,540 | $15.65 |
| Median | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| 75th percentile | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,930 | $20.64 |
| Average (mean) | $36,380 | $17.49 |
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 | $2,924.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,462.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,349.62 |
| Weekly | $674.81 |
| Hourly | $16.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $37,710 | 570 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $37,580 | 11,910 |
| Yuma, AZ | $35,390 | 330 |
| Tucson, AZ | $35,260 | 2,350 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $35,180 | 370 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $33,610 | 170 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,350 | $16.04 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Bartender | $42,340 | $20.36 |
| Dishwasher | $34,600 | $16.64 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,990 | $27.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ
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 Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ metro area is $35,090 a year, or $16.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ metro area earn at least $42,930 a year. The top 25% earn $37,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,950 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $32,540 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ?
About 360 food preparation workers are employed in the Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.