Food Preparation Worker salary in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
Food Preparation Workers in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn a median of $33,370 a year ($16.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,620 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% lower than the Utah statewide median of $33,540. There are 5.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,240 | $13.09 |
| 25th percentile | $30,630 | $14.73 |
| Median | $33,370 | $16.04 |
| 75th percentile | $38,260 | $18.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Average (mean) | $34,770 | $16.72 |
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 | $2,780.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,390.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,283.46 |
| Weekly | $641.73 |
| Hourly | $16.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in Utah 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. George, UT | $34,800 | 670 |
| Ogden, UT | $34,430 | 1,530 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $34,420 | 1,580 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $30,400 | 450 |
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 Utah statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,700 | $17.65 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,160 | $16.42 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,320 | $15.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,860 | $18.69 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,620 | $14.24 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,670 | $12.82 |
| Bartender | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| Dishwasher | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,710 | $15.25 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,030 | $28.86 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $39,570 | $19.03 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
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 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area is $33,370 a year, or $16.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn at least $43,620 a year. The top 25% earn $38,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,240 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $30,630 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
About 4,880 food preparation workers are employed in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area, not counting the self-employed.