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SOC 35-0000·Food Preparation & Serving
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
Median wage
$38,042
10-yr outlook
+16.8%by 2032
Openings / year
141,074
Workers in NY
726,630
How pay grows with experience
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations — typical pay by experience
Annual wages statewide: starting out, typical (median), and experienced.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting out (entry) | $33,807 |
| Median (typical) | $38,042 |
| Experienced | $51,944 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
Where it pays most across New York
Median pay for this occupation by region. Select a region for its full profile.
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations — median pay by region
Regional median annual wage, highest first.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| New York City | $39,428 |
| Long Island | $38,634 |
| Hudson Valley | $38,528 |
| Capital Region | $37,067 |
| Central New York | $36,403 |
| Western New York | $36,365 |
| Southern Tier | $36,325 |
| Finger Lakes | $36,260 |
| North Country | $36,110 |
| Mohawk Valley | $35,991 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
A realistic next step
Higher-paying roles in the same field
These occupations are in the same broad field (Food Preparation & Serving) and pay more than a Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations. It's a transparent “same field, higher pay” guide — not a skills-match score.
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$38,126 median (+$84) · +21.1% by 2032
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$39,090 median (+$1,048) · +23.1% by 2032
- Cooks, Restaurant$41,024 median (+$2,982) · +20.5% by 2032
- Cooks, All Other$43,414 median (+$5,373)
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$46,442 median (+$8,400) · +22.1% by 2032
- Waiters and Waitresses$47,783 median (+$9,741) · +12.2% by 2032
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