Average Food Preparation Workers Salary in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX
Food Preparation Workers in the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX area earn an average annual salary of $25,080. This figure is notably below the national average of $33,810. Local economic factors, including regional demand and the cost of labor, contribute to this pay differential.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $25,080 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 5.0% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $33,970.
- Outlook: The Brownsville-Harlingen, TX area demonstrates a significant concentration of Food Preparation Workers, with a Location Quotient of 2.9, indicating a demand nearly three times the national average. The local workforce comprises 2,640 individuals in this role, suggesting a robust and established job market for these professionals.
Salary Overview
The average Food Preparation Workers in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX earns-25.8%below the national average.
$12.1
$482
$2,090
Food Preparation Workers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Food Preparation Workers in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX have experienced modest growth over the past four years, aligning with broader economic trends and inflation adjustments. This suggests a stable, albeit potentially slow, upward trajectory for compensation in this sector.
Food Preparation Workers Salary Distribution in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX
Salary progression for Food Preparation Workers typically correlates with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior roles or those with specialized skills can command significantly higher earnings. The percentile gaps in salary distribution highlight the potential for career advancement and increased earning capacity within the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $18,700 | $9 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $18,810 | $9 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $23,220 | $11.2 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $31,350 | $15.1 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $33,970 | $16.3 |
Detailed Food Preparation Workers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$25,080
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$25,080
Adjusted for COL (100)
With an average annual salary of $25,080 and a Cost of Living Index at the national average of 100, the nominal income in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX, offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average. This means that while the salary is lower than the national average, the cost of living does not exacerbate the difference in real terms.
Job Market Context
2,640
Total Jobs
16.738
Per 1K Jobs
2.9
Location Quotient
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX has 2.9x the national concentration of Food Preparation Workers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
The Location Quotient of 2.9 for Food Preparation Workers in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX, signifies a substantial concentration of these jobs relative to the national average. This indicates a high demand and a specialized market where these roles are more prevalent than in many other regions, suggesting a competitive but opportunity-rich environment.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Food Preparation Workers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Food Preparation Workers Salary | $25,960↑ 4% | 51 mi |
Comparing salaries near Brownsville-Harlingen, TX
Hiring Food Preparation Workerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Food Preparation Workers make in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX?
The median annual salary for a Food Preparation Workers in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX is $25,080. This typically ranges from $18,700 for entry-level positions to $33,970 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX is 25.8% lower than the national median of $33,810.
Is Brownsville-Harlingen, TX a lucrative place for Food Preparation Workerss?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.While the cost of living is at the national average, the average salary of $25,080 is significantly lower than the national average of $33,810, indicating less lucrative earning potential.
Is Brownsville-Harlingen, TX a good place to live for Food Preparation Workers?
The Cost of Living Index in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Brownsville-Harlingen, TX?
Some top paying nearby cities include McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($25,960) and others.
How does the Brownsville-Harlingen job market compare nationally for Food Preparation Workers?
The job market in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX is more concentrated for Food Preparation Workers than the national average, as indicated by a Location Quotient of 2.9. This suggests a higher relative demand for these roles in the area.
What is the average salary for a Food Preparation Worker in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX?
The average annual salary for a Food Preparation Worker in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX is $25,080.
How does the cost of living in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX affect the salary?
The Cost of Living Index in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX is 100, which is the national average. This means the lower-than-average salary of $25,080 has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, despite being lower in nominal terms.
What is the total number of Food Preparation Workers in the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX area?
There are approximately 2,640 Food Preparation Workers employed in the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,640 employees in the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX area with a job density of 16.738 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Food Preparation Workers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX