Food preparation workers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$34,220
~$16/hr · ~$2,852/mo
US Jobs
903K
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
2/10
Safe
AI & Automation Risk
Safe 2/10
The core duties are highly physical and require manual dexterity in unpredictable kitchen environments, which are difficult for AI to automate directly. While AI might optimize inventory management or scheduling, the primary tasks of washing, cutting, and preparing food remain resistant to digital replacement, though some labor may be displaced by industrial food processing automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greeley, COBEST VALUE | $41,340 | Below avg (96.6) | $42,776 |
| Boulder, CO | $41,490 | Average (100.6) | $41,237 |
| Minot, ND | $36,340 | Below avg (88.7) | $40,977 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $34,640 | Below avg (85.9) | $40,322 |
| Bismarck, ND | $35,850 | Below avg (89.4) | $40,121 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $35,210 | Below avg (87.9) | $40,062 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $42,830 | Above avg (107.2) | $39,956 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $35,250 | Below avg (89.1) | $39,547 |
| Carson City, NV | $37,510 | Below avg (94.9) | $39,531 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,460 | Below avg (87.6) | $39,317 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $36,110 | Below avg (91.9) | $39,312 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $38,240 | Average (97.3) | $39,298 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $44,120 | Above avg (113.1) | $39,024 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $36,140 | Below avg (92.8) | $38,965 |
| Napa, CA | $43,260 | Above avg (111.8) | $38,685 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
No formal educational credential
10-Year Growth
-3% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$16/hr
Monthly Income
~$2,852/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)