Food Preparation Workers Salary in Connecticut
The median for food preparation workers in Connecticut is $36,650 a year, somewhat above the national $35,320 (+4%); the state ranks 11th of 51 states by median. That is 39% less than the median across all occupations in Connecticut ($59,690). Among neighbouring states, Massachusetts pays more (up to $38,900 in Massachusetts) and New York and Rhode Island pay less (down to $35,470 in Rhode Island). Connecticut employs 12,250 food preparation workers, 7.22 per 1,000 jobs, the 26th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 1.26 means the occupation is more concentrated in Connecticut than nationally.
Connecticut vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $16.35 | $16.99 | $17.62 | $19.33 | $22.98 | $18.89 | 12,250 | 7.22 | 1.26 |
| Annual | $34,010 | $35,340 | $36,650 | $40,210 | $47,790 | $39,290 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $12.41 | $14.40 | $16.98 | $18.53 | $21.80 | $16.96 | 893,600 | – | – |
| Annual | $25,810 | $29,950 | $35,320 | $38,550 | $45,340 | $35,290 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 11th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 26th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 1.26
- Jobs per 1,000
- 7.22
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Connecticut's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Connecticut
5 metropolitan areas and 1 nonmetropolitan area touching Connecticut publish a row for food preparation workers, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $18.18 | $37,820 | $35,100 | $48,040 | 3,300 | 8.17 | 1.42 |
| New Haven, CT | $17.78 | $36,970 | $34,010 | $61,000 | 2,140 | 7.60 | 1.32 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $17.59 | $36,580 | $34,010 | $42,510 | 1,430 | 8.93 | 1.55 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $17.40 | $36,200 | $34,010 | $46,020 | 960 | 7.62 | 1.33 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $17.24 | $35,860 | $34,010 | $45,810 | 3,750 | 6.25 | 1.09 |
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $17.61 | $36,620 | $34,010 | $44,980 | 580 | 8.75 | 1.52 |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $17.62 | $36,650 | 12,250 | 1.26 |
| Massachusetts | $18.70 | $38,900 | 13,620 | 0.65 |
| New York | $17.12 | $35,610 | 62,380 | 1.12 |
| Rhode Island | $17.06 | $35,470 | 2,830 | 0.98 |
See the national page for Food Preparation Workers (every state ranked) and the Connecticut wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Connecticut estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.