Food Preparation Workers pay range in Fargo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,950 a year or less, while the top 10% make $44,790 or more. The middle half of food preparation workers in Fargo earn between $30,930 and $38,750.
- $28K10th
- $31K25th
- $37KMedian
- $39K75th
- $45K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $36,350 | $3,029 | $17.48 |
| Median | $36,590 | $3,049 | $17.59 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $30,930 | $2,578 | $14.87 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $38,750 | $3,229 | $18.63 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Preparation Workers pay in Fargo vs. North Dakota and the U.S.
Food preparation workers in Fargo earn about the same as the North Dakota average ($36,210) and 3% more than the U.S. average ($35,290). At the median the gap is +4% against the U.S. median of $35,320.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $36,350 | $36,590 | $27,950 | $44,790 | 550 |
| North Dakota | $36,210 | $36,800 | $28,400 | $43,840 | 980 |
| United States | $35,290 | $35,320 | $25,810 | $45,340 | 893,600 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Food Preparation Workers salary after taxes in Fargo
On the average salary of $36,350, a single filer in Fargo takes home about $31,387 a year, or $2,616 a month and $1,207 every two weeks. Taxes take 14% of gross pay.
The Fargo, ND-MN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in ND | $31,387 | $2,616 |
| Working in MN | $30,261 | $2,522 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Fargo a good place for food preparation workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Fargo area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.9), so the average $36,350 buys what about $40,002 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Fargo ($51,050). A typical home costs $327,854, or 9.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Preparation Workers salary in other North Dakota cities
Fargo ranks 2nd of 4 North Dakota metro areas for this job; Bismarck pays the most ($37,450).
- Bismarck$37,450
- Fargo$36,350
- Minot$36,250
- Grand Forks$35,210
Highest-paying cities for food preparation workers
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($48,150).
- Kahului, HI$48,150
- San Jose, CA$45,660
- Seattle, WA$44,390
- Napa, CA$44,240
- Santa Rosa, CA$43,450
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Food Preparation Workers salary in Fargo: questions
How much do food preparation workers make an hour in Fargo?
$17.48 an hour on average, and $17.59 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Fargo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,950 a year and the 25th percentile is $30,930, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food preparation workers take-home pay in Fargo?
About $31,387 a year ($2,616 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $36,350.
Do food preparation workers earn more in Fargo than elsewhere?
The average here is 3% more than the U.S. average for this job ($35,290).
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; area Fargo, ND-MN (22020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.9%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.64, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.64).
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