Life As a Food Preparer or Server
Occupation Description All food preparation and serving related workers not listed separately.
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Other Food Preparer or Server Job Titles
- Kitchen Steward
- Food Aide
- Dietitian Helper
- Galley Boy
- Galley Worker
Are There Job Opportunities for Food Preparers and Servers?
In the United States, there were 60,900 jobs for Food Preparer or Server in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,600 new jobs for Food Preparer or Server by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 11,300 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Food Preparer or Server are Idaho, Arizona, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Nebraska, or Montana. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Food Preparer or Server
Food Preparers and Servers make between $18,340 and $35,550 a year.

Food Preparers and Servers who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Wyoming, make the highest salaries.
How much do Food Preparers and Servers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $23,840 |
Alaska | $34,010 |
Arizona | $25,730 |
Arkansas | $20,810 |
California | $26,500 |
Colorado | $23,650 |
Connecticut | $32,910 |
Delaware | $25,060 |
District of Columbia | $39,250 |
Florida | $24,130 |
Georgia | $20,240 |
Hawaii | $26,730 |
Idaho | $22,830 |
Illinois | $26,210 |
Indiana | $21,810 |
Iowa | $24,370 |
Kansas | $24,200 |
Kentucky | $23,160 |
Louisiana | $21,120 |
Maryland | $26,840 |
Massachusetts | $31,150 |
Michigan | $25,280 |
Minnesota | $27,760 |
Mississippi | $22,180 |
Missouri | $22,250 |
Montana | $24,540 |
Nebraska | $25,870 |
Nevada | $28,010 |
New Hampshire | $24,180 |
New Jersey | $27,750 |
New Mexico | $24,090 |
New York | $29,570 |
North Carolina | $22,470 |
Ohio | $23,590 |
Oklahoma | $21,260 |
Oregon | $25,420 |
Pennsylvania | $25,620 |
Rhode Island | $27,230 |
South Carolina | $20,400 |
Tennessee | $27,130 |
Texas | $22,750 |
Utah | $22,140 |
Vermont | $27,670 |
Virginia | $25,630 |
Washington | $25,550 |
West Virginia | $23,430 |
Wisconsin | $26,210 |
Wyoming | $29,250 |
Where Food Preparers and Servers Work

Below are examples of industries where Food Preparers and Servers work:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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