Food Preparation Workers Salary in Maine

Food preparation workers in Maine earn the most in Portland (average $39,110 a year) and the least in Bangor ($36,230), across the 3 Maine metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the food preparation workers average at $37,470 and the median at $36,030 for 4,560 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $35,290.

Food Preparation Workers average salary by city in Maine

Portland$39,110
Lewiston$36,270
Bangor$36,230

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Portland	$39,110	$37,260	$35,770	$32,554	102
Lewiston	$36,270	$35,630	$32,130	$30,437	95
Bangor	$36,230	$34,970	$33,600	$30,407	97

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Maine's standard deduction phase-out above $102,250 of income is not modelled. 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 Maine

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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