Food Preparation Worker salary in San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR
Food Preparation Workers in the San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR metro area earn a median of $22,800 a year ($10.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $29,030 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% higher than the Puerto Rico statewide median of $22,400. There are 4.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $24,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Median | $22,800 | $10.96 |
| 75th percentile | $24,000 | $11.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $29,030 | $13.96 |
| Average (mean) | $24,140 | $11.61 |
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 | $1,900 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $950 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $876.92 |
| Weekly | $438.46 |
| Hourly | $10.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Guayama, PR | $22,500 | 80 |
| Arecibo, PR | $22,300 | 180 |
| Aguadilla, PR | $22,290 | 330 |
| Mayaguez, PR | $22,050 | 300 |
| Ponce, PR | $21,960 | 330 |
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 Puerto Rico statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $25,500 | $12.26 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $26,260 | $12.62 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,680 | $10.90 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,580 | $10.86 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,130 | $10.64 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,250 | $11.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $28,670 | $13.79 |
| Bartender | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| Dishwasher | $23,130 | $11.12 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $22,520 | $10.83 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $23,570 | $11.33 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR
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 San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR metro area is $22,800 a year, or $10.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $29,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR metro area earn at least $29,030 a year. The top 25% earn $24,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,840 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $21,840 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR?
About 2,740 food preparation workers are employed in the San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR metro area, not counting the self-employed.