Food Preparation Worker Salary in Minneapolis, MN
Food Preparation Workers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area earn a median $35,100 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,324 take-home, or $2,444 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Minneapolis, MN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,032
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,176
- Medicare (1.45%)$509
- Minnesota income tax$1,059
- Take-home pay$29,324
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.35% state
The Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro spans Minnesota, Wisconsin. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Food Preparation Worker pay by experience in Minneapolis, MN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,250 | $14.54 | $25,686 | $2,141 |
| 25th percentile | $30,710 | $14.76 | $26,031 | $2,169 |
| Median (50th) | $35,100 | $16.88 | $29,324 | $2,444 |
| 75th percentile | $38,790 | $18.65 | $32,091 | $2,674 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,690 | $22.45 | $38,016 | $3,168 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Minnesota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,100 buys in Minneapolis, MN
Prices in Minneapolis, MN are 4.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $29,324 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,975 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Minneapolis, MN has 1.5× the national concentration of food preparation worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for food preparation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Minneapolis, MN ranks #47 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $45,580 | $37,398 | $33,868 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $43,830 | $37,397 | $33,651 |
| 3 | Omaha, NE | $36,140 | $30,454 | $33,134 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $36,930 | $31,620 | $33,121 |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $35,360 | $30,402 | $32,369 |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $36,730 | $31,693 | $31,857 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $34,390 | $29,812 | $31,476 |
| 8 | North Port, FL | $37,320 | $32,167 | $31,408 |
| 47 | Minneapolis, MN | $35,100 | $29,324 | $27,975 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
About the job: food preparation workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -3.0% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Minneapolis, MN?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area is $35,100 a year, or about $16.88 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,710 and $38,790.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Minneapolis, MN?
On the median $35,100 salary, a single filer living in Minnesota takes home about $29,324 a year ($2,444 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,059 in Minnesota taxes in 2026.
Is Minneapolis, MN a good place to work as a food preparation worker?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $35,320. Local prices are 4.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,975 would in a typical U.S. city. Minneapolis, MN ranks #47 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Minneapolis, MN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Minneapolis, MN is $1,396 a month ($1,700 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Minneapolis, MN
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,110
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $44,830
- Cooks, Restaurant — $39,640
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $36,420
- Cooks, Fast Food — $36,380
- Dishwasher — $34,940
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $33,040
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $30,600
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,380
- Bartender — $27,600
- Waiter and Waitress — $25,920