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SOC 35-2021·Food Preparation & Serving
Food Preparation Workers
Median wage
$37,049
10-yr outlook
+9.4%by 2032
Openings / year
9,758
Workers in NY
51,880
How pay grows with experience
Food Preparation Workers — typical pay by experience
Annual wages statewide: starting out, typical (median), and experienced.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting out (entry) | $33,502 |
| Median (typical) | $37,049 |
| Experienced | $42,573 |
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 Workers — median pay by region
Regional median annual wage, highest first.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| New York City | $38,212 |
| Long Island | $37,543 |
| Hudson Valley | $36,917 |
| Capital Region | $35,939 |
| North Country | $35,818 |
| Central New York | $35,304 |
| Western New York | $35,261 |
| Southern Tier | $35,248 |
| Finger Lakes | $35,235 |
| Mohawk Valley | $34,425 |
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 Workers. It's a transparent “same field, higher pay” guide — not a skills-match score.
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$37,826 median (+$776) · +21.4% by 2032
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$38,042 median (+$992) · +16.8% by 2032
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$38,126 median (+$1,077) · +21.1% by 2032
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$39,090 median (+$2,040) · +23.1% by 2032
- Cooks, Restaurant$41,024 median (+$3,975) · +20.5% by 2032
- Cooks, All Other$43,414 median (+$6,365)
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