Food Preparation Workers pay range in Arecibo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $21,840 a year or less, while the top 10% make $27,590 or more. The middle half of food preparation workers in Arecibo earn between $21,900 and $22,740.
- $22K10th
- $22K25th
- $22KMedian
- $23K75th
- $28K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $23,190 | $1,932 | $11.15 |
| Median | $22,300 | $1,858 | $10.72 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $21,900 | $1,825 | $10.53 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $22,740 | $1,895 | $10.93 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Preparation Workers pay in Arecibo vs. Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Food preparation workers in Arecibo earn about the same as the Puerto Rico average ($23,720) and 34% less than the U.S. average ($35,290). At the median the gap is -37% against the U.S. median of $35,320.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arecibo | $23,190 | $22,300 | $21,840 | $27,590 | 180 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,720 | $22,400 | $21,840 | $27,550 | 4,130 |
| 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.
Is Arecibo a good place for food preparation workers? Pay vs. cost of living
This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Arecibo ($26,120). A typical home costs $111,700, or 4.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Preparation Workers salary in other Puerto Rico cities
Arecibo ranks 2nd of 6 Puerto Rico metro areas for this job; San Juan pays the most ($24,140).
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 Arecibo: questions
How much do food preparation workers make an hour in Arecibo?
$11.15 an hour on average, and $10.72 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Arecibo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $21,840 a year and the 25th percentile is $21,900, a fair guide to starting pay.
Do food preparation workers earn more in Arecibo than elsewhere?
The average here is 34% less 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 Arecibo, PR (11640). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.8%.
- 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: Census median home value (Zillow does not cover this metro). 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.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.89, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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