Food Preparation Workers Salary in Hawaii
The median for food preparation workers in Hawaii is $38,160 a year, somewhat above the national $35,320 (+8%); the state ranks 6th of 51 states by median. That is 32% less than the median across all occupations in Hawaii ($56,320). Hawaii employs 5,950 food preparation workers, 9.47 per 1,000 jobs, the 36th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 1.65 means the occupation is more concentrated in Hawaii than nationally.
Hawaii vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Hawaii | Hourly | $14.40 | $16.02 | $18.35 | $22.56 | $27.75 | $20.03 | 5,950 | 9.47 | 1.65 |
| Annual | $29,950 | $33,310 | $38,160 | $46,920 | $57,720 | $41,670 | ||||
| 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
- 6th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 36th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 1.65
- Jobs per 1,000
- 9.47
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Hawaii'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 Hawaii
2 metropolitan areas and 1 nonmetropolitan area touching Hawaii 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $22.44 | $46,680 | $34,510 | $70,710 | 720 | 9.76 | 1.70 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $17.94 | $37,300 | $29,950 | $50,630 | 4,210 | 9.43 | 1.64 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $20.65 | $42,950 | $30,630 | $62,950 | 1,000 | 9.54 | 1.66 |
See the national page for Food Preparation Workers (every state ranked) and the Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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.