Food Preparation Workers Salary in Maryland

Food preparation workers in Maryland earn the most in Baltimore (average $36,910 a year) and the least in Hagerstown ($32,550), across the 4 Maryland metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the food preparation workers average at $37,090 and the median at $35,500 for 13,280 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $35,290.

Food Preparation Workers average salary by city in Maryland

Baltimore$36,910
Lexington Park$35,080
Salisbury$33,710
Hagerstown$32,550

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Baltimore	$36,910	$35,080	$33,540	$30,296	104
Lexington Park	$35,080	$33,840	$31,480	$28,912	101
Salisbury	$33,710	$31,460	$31,200	$27,876	96
Hagerstown	$32,550	$31,290	$29,460	$26,999	94

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Maryland's county income tax (2.25%–3.30%, charged in every county) is not included, so real take-home pay is lower. 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 Maryland

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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