Food Preparation Worker Salary in Vermont (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Vermont Median
$36,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.57
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $35,320
State Rank
#12 of 51
1,350 employed here

How much does a Food Preparation Worker make in Vermont?

Food Preparation Workers in Vermont take home a median of $36,550 annually — roughly $17.57 an hour — which runs 3% above the national median of $35,320.

Within Vermont, entry-level pay starts around $31,840 while the top 10% make $49,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,220 and $42,920 a year.

Food Preparation Worker salary range in Vermont

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,840$15.31
25th percentile (early career)$35,220$16.93
50th percentile (median)$36,550$17.57
75th percentile (experienced)$42,920$20.63
90th percentile (top earners)$49,020$23.57

How Vermont compares

Vermont ranks 12th 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 Vermont

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 Vermont pay ($36,550) 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 Vermont?
The median Food Preparation Worker salary in Vermont is $36,550 per year, or about $17.57 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,840 at the entry level to $49,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Vermont pay compare to the national average?
Vermont pays Food Preparation Workers about 3% more than the national median of $35,320. Vermont ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Vermont a good state for Food Preparation Workers?
Yes on pay — Vermont pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,550 a year. About 1,350 Food Preparation Workers are employed in Vermont. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Vermont?
The highest-paying occupations in Vermont include Surgeon, All Other ($438,530), Anesthesiologist ($434,780), Neurologist ($434,730), 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.