Food Preparation Worker Salary in Hawaii (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Preparation Workers in Hawaii, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Hawaii Median
$38,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $35,320
State Rank
#6 of 51
5,950 employed here

How much does a Food Preparation Worker make in Hawaii?

A Food Preparation Worker working in Hawaii earns a median salary of $38,160 per year, or about $18.35 per hour. That is 8% above the national median of $35,320 for this occupation.

Within Hawaii, entry-level pay starts around $29,950 while the top 10% make $57,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,310 and $46,920 a year.

Food Preparation Worker salary range in Hawaii

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,950$14.40
25th percentile (early career)$33,310$16.01
50th percentile (median)$38,160$18.35
75th percentile (experienced)$46,920$22.56
90th percentile (top earners)$57,720$27.75

How Hawaii compares

Hawaii ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories for Food Preparation Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$40,910
2District of Columbia$39,600
3California$39,350
4Colorado$38,960
5Massachusetts$38,900

Working as a Food Preparation Worker in Hawaii

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 Hawaii pay ($38,160) 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 Hawaii?
The median Food Preparation Worker salary in Hawaii is $38,160 per year, or about $18.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,950 at the entry level to $57,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Hawaii pay compare to the national average?
Hawaii pays Food Preparation Workers about 8% more than the national median of $35,320. Hawaii ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Hawaii a good state for Food Preparation Workers?
Yes on pay — Hawaii pays above the national median for this occupation, at $38,160 a year. About 5,950 Food Preparation Workers are employed in Hawaii. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Hawaii?
The highest-paying occupations in Hawaii include Physician, All Other ($339,290), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($338,130), Psychiatrist ($289,990), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food Preparation Worker salary report

Related salaries

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

$37,450
median pay · 441,000 employed

Food Server, Nonrestaurant

$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed

Fast Food and Counter Workers

$31,200
median pay · 3,854,000 employed

Cook, All Other

$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.