Food Preparation Worker salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Food Preparation Workers in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median of $36,580 a year ($17.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,510 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is about the same as the Connecticut statewide median of $36,650. There are 8.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 25th percentile | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Median | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| 75th percentile | $37,510 | $18.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Average (mean) | $37,900 | $18.22 |
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 | $3,048.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,524.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,406.92 |
| Weekly | $703.46 |
| Hourly | $17.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $37,820 | 3,300 |
| New Haven, CT | $36,970 | 2,140 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $36,200 | 960 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $35,860 | 3,750 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,180 | $16.44 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| Bartender | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Dishwasher | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,080 | $28.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,140 | $18.34 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $36,580 a year, or $17.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn at least $42,510 a year. The top 25% earn $37,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,010 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $35,750 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
About 1,430 food preparation workers are employed in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.