Food Preparation Workers salary
in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
- Middle 50%
- $36,570–$45,430
- vs U.S. median
- +12%
- Metro rank
- #15 of 496
Food Preparation Workers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro earn a median of $39,660 a year, based on BLS estimates for 9,630 jobs (May 2025). That is 12% above the U.S. median of $35,320 and 2% above the MA statewide median of $38,900. It ranks #15 of 496 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE9,630 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Food Preparation Workers pay in other MA metros
6 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $41,040 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $40,140 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $38,660 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $36,930 |
| Worcester, MA | $36,550 |
| Springfield, MA | $36,020 |
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RELATED JOBS IN BOSTON
Questions
What is the average Food Preparation Workers salary in Boston?
The BLS median is $39,660 a year (May 2025). Half of the 9,630 jobs pay between $36,570 and $45,430. The 10th percentile is $34,760 and the 90th is $48,450.
Is Boston a high-paying metro for Food Preparation Workers?
That is 12% above the U.S. median of $35,320 and 2% above the MA statewide median of $38,900. It ranks #15 of 496 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Food Preparation Workers make an hour in Boston?
About $19.07 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $39,660 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $17.58–$21.84 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.