Food Preparation Workers pay range in Houston
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,250 a year or less, while the top 10% make $41,870 or more. The middle half of food preparation workers in Houston earn between $28,110 and $37,790.
- $23K10th
- $28K25th
- $35KMedian
- $38K75th
- $42K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $33,220 | $2,768 | $15.97 |
| Median | $35,020 | $2,918 | $16.84 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $28,110 | $2,342 | $13.51 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $37,790 | $3,149 | $18.17 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Preparation Workers pay in Houston vs. Texas and the U.S.
Food preparation workers in Houston earn 3% more than the Texas average ($32,120) and 6% less than the U.S. average ($35,290). At the median the gap is -1% against the U.S. median of $35,320.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $33,220 | $35,020 | $23,250 | $41,870 | 16,240 |
| Texas | $32,120 | $30,650 | $22,790 | $42,450 | 81,280 |
| United States | $35,290 | $35,320 | $25,810 | $45,340 | 893,600 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Food Preparation Workers salary after taxes in Houston
On the average salary of $33,220, a single filer in Houston takes home about $28,872 a year, or $2,406 a month and $1,110 every two weeks. Taxes take 13% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Houston a good place for food preparation workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Houston area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.6), so the average $33,220 buys what about $33,682 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Houston ($49,410). A typical home costs $308,306, or 9.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Preparation Workers salary in other Texas cities
Houston ranks 3rd of 26 Texas metro areas for this job; Austin pays the most ($34,550).
- Austin$34,550
- Midland$33,700
- Houston$33,220
- College Station$33,200
- Dallas$32,960
- San Antonio$32,900
- Wichita Falls$32,040
- Odessa$31,830
- Killeen$31,520
- Waco$30,440
Highest-paying cities for food preparation workers
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($48,150).
- Kahului, HI$48,150
- San Jose, CA$45,660
- Seattle, WA$44,390
- Napa, CA$44,240
- Santa Rosa, CA$43,450
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Food Preparation Workers salary in Houston: questions
How much do food preparation workers make an hour in Houston?
$15.97 an hour on average, and $16.84 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Houston?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,250 a year and the 25th percentile is $28,110, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food preparation workers take-home pay in Houston?
About $28,872 a year ($2,406 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $33,220. Texas has no state income tax.
Do food preparation workers earn more in Houston than elsewhere?
The average here is 6% less than the U.S. average for this job ($35,290).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2021; area Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX (26420). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.86, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.