Food Preparation Worker Salary in New Hampshire (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Hampshire Median
$36,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $35,320
State Rank
#9 of 51
3,420 employed here

How much does a Food Preparation Worker make in New Hampshire?

Food Preparation Workers in New Hampshire take home a median of $36,780 annually — roughly $17.68 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $35,320.

Within New Hampshire, entry-level pay starts around $26,830 while the top 10% make $45,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,000 and $39,330 a year.

Food Preparation Worker salary range in New Hampshire

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$26,830$12.90
25th percentile (early career)$31,000$14.90
50th percentile (median)$36,780$17.68
75th percentile (experienced)$39,330$18.91
90th percentile (top earners)$45,980$22.11

How New Hampshire compares

New Hampshire ranks 9th 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 New Hampshire

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 New Hampshire pay ($36,780) 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 New Hampshire?
The median Food Preparation Worker salary in New Hampshire is $36,780 per year, or about $17.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,830 at the entry level to $45,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Hampshire pay compare to the national average?
New Hampshire pays Food Preparation Workers about 4% more than the national median of $35,320. New Hampshire ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Hampshire a good state for Food Preparation Workers?
Yes on pay — New Hampshire pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,780 a year. About 3,420 Food Preparation Workers are employed in New Hampshire. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Hampshire?
The highest-paying occupations in New Hampshire include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($555,670), Surgeon, All Other ($534,870), Dermatologist ($516,230), 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.