SalaryNode

Average Food Preparation Workers Salary in Appleton, WI

Food Preparation Workers in Appleton, WI, earn an average annual salary of $32,550. This figure is slightly below the national average of $33,810, indicating localized economic factors and demand specific to the Appleton area influence compensation. The cost of living in Appleton aligns perfectly with the national average, suggesting that this salary offers a comparable standard of living.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $32,550 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 22.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $42,490.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 750 Food Preparation Workers, Appleton presents a stable employment landscape for this role. The location quotient of 1.06 suggests a slightly higher concentration of these jobs compared to the national average, indicating a steady demand that aligns with the size of the local workforce.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$32,550

The average Food Preparation Workers in Appleton, WI earns-3.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$15.7

Weekly

$626

Monthly

$2,713

Food Preparation Workers Salary Distribution in Appleton, WI

Salary progression for Food Preparation Workers in Appleton typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while experienced or senior roles command higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings signify clear career progression pathways within the food service industry.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$25,230$12.1
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$24,413$11.7
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$31,680$15.2
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$40,688$19.6
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$42,490$20.4

Detailed Food Preparation Workers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$32,550

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$32,550

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal salary of $32,550 in Appleton, WI, is directly comparable to the national average due to the local Cost of Living Index being exactly 100. This means that the purchasing power of the salary in Appleton is equivalent to the national average, offering no significant advantage or disadvantage in terms of affordability.

Job Market Context

750

Total Jobs

6.085

Per 1K Jobs

1.06

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.06, Appleton, WI has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Food Preparation Workers roles compared to the national norm.

Appleton's Location Quotient of 1.06 for Food Preparation Workers indicates a market where this profession is slightly more concentrated than the national average. This suggests a healthy, albeit not overwhelmingly dominant, demand for these roles within the local economy, making the job market moderately competitive.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Food Preparation Workers

CitySalaryDist.
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI Food Preparation Workers Salary$31,480↓ 3%20 mi
Green Bay, WI Food Preparation Workers Salary$31,210↓ 4%26 mi
Fond du Lac, WI Food Preparation Workers Salary$30,590↓ 6%35 mi
Sheboygan, WI Food Preparation Workers Salary$32,050↓ 2%49 mi
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area Food Preparation Workers Salary$32,080↓ 1%61 mi

Comparing salaries near Appleton, WI

Hiring Food Preparation Workerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Food Preparation Workers make in Appleton, WI?

The median annual salary for a Food Preparation Workers in Appleton, WI is $32,550. This typically ranges from $25,230 for entry-level positions to $42,490 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Appleton, WI is 3.7% lower than the national median of $33,810.

Is Appleton, WI a lucrative place for Food Preparation Workers?

No, it is not significantly more lucrative than the national average.The average salary of $32,550 is slightly below the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average. While the concentration of jobs is slightly higher, this does not translate to substantially higher pay.

Is Appleton, WI a good place to live for Food Preparation Workers?

The Cost of Living Index in Appleton, WI is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Appleton, WI?

Some top paying nearby cities include Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($31,480) and Green Bay, WI.

How does Appleton's salary for Food Preparation Workers compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Food Preparation Workers in Appleton, WI, is $32,550, which is slightly lower than the national average of $33,810.

What is the significance of the Location Quotient in Appleton?

A Location Quotient of 1.06 means that Food Preparation Workers are slightly more concentrated in Appleton compared to the national average, suggesting a steady local demand for these roles.

Does the cost of living in Appleton affect the salary's value?

No, the cost of living in Appleton is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the $32,550 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary.

What is the total number of Food Preparation Workers in Appleton?

There are approximately 750 Food Preparation Workers employed in Appleton, WI.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 750 employees in the Appleton, WI area with a job density of 6.085 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Food Preparation Workers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Appleton, WI