New Jersey Median
$35,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.09
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $35,320
State Rank
#19 of 51
24,730 employed here
How much does a Food Preparation Worker make in New Jersey?
Food Preparation Workers in New Jersey take home a median of $35,540 annually — roughly $17.09 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $35,320.
Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $32,220 while the top 10% make $46,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,530 and $38,470 a year.
Food Preparation Worker salary range in New Jersey
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $33,530 | $16.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,540 | $17.09 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,470 | $18.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,070 | $22.15 |
|
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks 19th 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 $35,930Florida $35,920Alaska $35,720New York $35,610Maryland $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 New Jersey
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 Jersey pay ($35,540) 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 Jersey?
The median Food Preparation Worker salary in New Jersey is $35,540 per year, or about $17.09 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,220 at the entry level to $46,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Food Preparation Workers about 1% more than the national median of $35,320. New Jersey ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Food Preparation Workers?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $35,540 a year. About 24,730 Food Preparation Workers are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Food Preparation Worker salary report
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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.