Food Preparation Workers
Wages & Outlook
Typical Wages
Wages listed below are for a variety of experience and education levels. Make sure that you research the typical entry-level education and work experience and training requirements for this occupation.
This career pays well below the statewide median wage.
Wages for Food Preparation Workers *
U S |
$12.49 | $15.29 | $16.65 |
|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota |
$14.22 | $15.53 | $19.30 |
Central Minnesota |
$14.03 | $15.79 | $19.04 |
Northeast Minnesota |
$12.81 | $15.13 | $18.55 |
Northwest Minnesota |
$12.53 | $15.06 | $16.82 |
Southeast Minnesota |
$13.30 | $15.06 | $18.36 |
Southwest Minnesota |
$13.06 | $15.06 | $16.91 |
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN |
$15.17 | $15.80 | $19.93 |
* "Low" indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more.
"Median" indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
"High" indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.
Employment
In Minnesota, there are 17,500 workers employed in this large career.
Where do Food Preparation Workers most often work?
- Food Services and Drinking Places
- Food and Beverage Stores
- Educational Services
- Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
- Hospitals
Current Demand
This career is currently in very high demand.
Future Demand
This career is shrinking.
There will be a need for about 15,680 new Food Preparation Workers to meet market demand between 2020-2030. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
| U S | 821,200 | 873,800 | 52,600 | 6.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 9,655 | 9,233 | -422 | -4.4% |
| Central Minnesota | 1,195 | 1,137 | -58 | -4.9% |
| Northeast Minnesota | 730 | 703 | -27 | -3.7% |
| Northwest Minnesota | 944 | 873 | -71 | -7.5% |
| Southeast Minnesota | 946 | 876 | -70 | -7.4% |
| Southwest Minnesota | 599 | 560 | -39 | -6.5% |
| Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN | 5,140 | 4,994 | -146 | -2.8% |
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.