Florida Median
$35,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $35,320
State Rank
#16 of 51
73,100 employed here
How much does a Food Preparation Worker make in Florida?
Food Preparation Workers in Florida take home a median of $35,920 annually — roughly $17.27 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $35,320.
Within Florida, entry-level pay starts around $28,190 while the top 10% make $43,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,420 and $37,440 a year.
Food Preparation Worker salary range in Florida
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,190 | $13.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $30,420 | $14.63 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,920 | $17.27 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,300 | $20.82 |
|
How Florida compares
Florida ranks 16th out of 51 states and territories for Food Preparation Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Preparation Worker salary in other states
Washington $40,910District of Columbia $39,600California $39,350Colorado $38,960Massachusetts $38,900Hawaii $38,160Oregon $37,450North Dakota $36,800New Hampshire $36,780Arizona $36,750Connecticut $36,650Vermont $36,550Wyoming $36,110Maine $36,030Delaware $35,930Alaska $35,720New York $35,610New Jersey $35,540Maryland $35,500Rhode Island $35,470Georgia $35,250Nebraska $35,210Virginia $34,900Illinois $34,850Minnesota $34,850Ohio $34,530Wisconsin $34,070Montana $33,860Utah $33,540Nevada $33,460New Mexico $33,370South Carolina $32,180Idaho $31,510Missouri $31,510Michigan $31,180Pennsylvania $30,840Texas $30,650South Dakota $30,430Iowa $30,360Kansas $30,280North Carolina $30,260Indiana $29,700Tennessee $28,700Oklahoma $28,540West Virginia $28,360Alabama $27,930Arkansas $27,660Kentucky $26,850Mississippi $26,240Louisiana $23,620
Working as a Food Preparation Worker in Florida
Nationally, about 894,000 people work as Food Preparation Workers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Florida pay ($35,920) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Food Preparation Worker make in Florida?
The median Food Preparation Worker salary in Florida is $35,920 per year, or about $17.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,190 at the entry level to $43,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Florida pay compare to the national average?
Florida pays Food Preparation Workers about 2% more than the national median of $35,320. Florida ranks 16th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Florida a good state for Food Preparation Workers?
Yes on pay — Florida pays above the national median for this occupation, at $35,920 a year. About 73,100 Food Preparation Workers are employed in Florida. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Florida?
The highest-paying occupations in Florida include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($473,750), Anesthesiologist ($465,370), Surgeon, All Other ($429,990), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Food Preparation Worker salary report
Related salaries
$33,980
median pay · 543,000 employed
$37,450
median pay · 441,000 employed
$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed
$31,200
median pay · 3,854,000 employed
$31,200
median pay · 433,000 employed
$37,690
median pay · 19,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.