Food Preparation Workers Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Food Preparation Workers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA make a median of $37,270 a year, or about $17.92 an hour. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $46K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $35,354 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 74.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $37K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About food preparation workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level food preparation workers (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K.Top earners bring in $46K or more - a $12K spread from bottom to top.
Food Preparation Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $39K | +14% | 21,090 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +12% | 3,320 |
| California | $38K | +11% | 98,950 |
| Massachusetts | $38K | +10% | 14,890 |
| Hawaii | $37K | +9% | 4,780 |
| Vermont | $37K | +8% | 1,260 |
| Alaska | $37K | +7% | 2,840 |
| Oregon | $36K | +6% | 13,890 |
| New York | $36K | +5% | 51,880 |
| Maine | $36K | +4% | 5,540 |
| North Dakota | $36K | +4% | 700 |
| Arizona | $35K | +4% | 15,500 |
| Rhode Island | $35K | +4% | 2,250 |
| Connecticut | $35K | +4% | 11,450 |
| Florida | $35K | +3% | 67,030 |
Track food preparation workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation workers make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $37,270 a year - that works out to about $17.92 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,860, and experienced food preparation workers can clear $45,500. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,437/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 78.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a food preparation workers salary go in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food preparation workers salary is worth about $35,354 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food preparation workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.