Food Preparation Worker salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Food Preparation Workers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $35,950 a year ($17.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,850 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% higher than the New Jersey statewide median of $35,540. There are 4.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| Median | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| 75th percentile | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| Average (mean) | $37,610 | $18.08 |
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 | $2,995.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,497.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,382.69 |
| Weekly | $691.35 |
| Hourly | $17.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $35,810 | 1,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $35,670 | 63,530 |
| Vineland, NJ | $35,240 | 370 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,560 | 10,780 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $33,430 | 1,360 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,960 | $20.65 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,070 | $18.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Bartender | $38,800 | $18.66 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $70,210 | $33.75 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,830 | $16.74 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $43,350 | $20.84 |
| Dishwasher | $35,360 | $17.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $35,950 a year, or $17.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $45,850 a year. The top 25% earn $38,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,220 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $33,970 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 1,190 food preparation workers are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.