Food Preparation Workers Salary in Connecticut

Food preparation workers in Connecticut earn the most in New Haven (average $41,690 a year) and the least in Waterbury ($37,900), across the 5 Connecticut metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the food preparation workers average at $39,290 and the median at $36,650 for 12,250 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $35,290.

Food Preparation Workers average salary by city in Connecticut

New Haven$41,690
Bridgeport$40,110
Norwich$38,560
Hartford$38,120
Waterbury$37,900

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
New Haven	$41,690	$36,970	$35,270	$34,336	105
Bridgeport	$40,110	$37,820	$36,650	$33,171	107
Norwich	$38,560	$36,200	$34,770	$32,069	100
Hartford	$38,120	$35,860	$34,720	$31,734	103
Waterbury	$37,900	$36,580	$35,750	$31,606	100

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Connecticut tax is computed with the Department of Revenue Services' 2026 withholding rules (exemption, credit and recapture tables). Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Food Preparation Workers salary in other states

Food Preparation Workers salary by city and state

More about pay in Connecticut

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2021.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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