Food Preparation Workers Salary in Nevada
Food Preparation Workers in Nevada have a median of $33,460 a year, below the national $35,320 (−5%); the state ranks 31st of 51 states by median. That is 30% less than the median across all occupations in Nevada ($47,660). Among neighbouring states, California, Oregon, Arizona and Utah pay more (up to $39,350 in California) and Idaho pays less (down to $31,510 in Idaho). Nevada employs 11,420 food preparation workers, 7.36 per 1,000 jobs, the 29th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 1.28 means the occupation is more concentrated in Nevada than nationally.
Nevada vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Nevada | Hourly | $12.57 | $13.88 | $16.09 | $19.67 | $24.33 | $17.45 | 11,420 | 7.36 | 1.28 |
| Annual | $26,140 | $28,870 | $33,460 | $40,920 | $50,600 | $36,290 | ||||
| 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
- 31st of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 29th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 1.28
- Jobs per 1,000
- 7.36
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Nevada'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 Nevada
3 metropolitan areas and 1 nonmetropolitan area touching Nevada 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV | $16.87 | $35,090 | $26,010 | $46,950 | 150 | 4.58 | 0.80 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $16.29 | $33,870 | $26,280 | $51,110 | 9,460 | 8.32 | 1.45 |
| Reno, NV | $15.47 | $32,180 | $25,790 | $45,420 | 1,490 | 5.39 | 0.94 |
| Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $14.51 | $30,170 | $24,960 | $44,820 | 330 | 3.69 | 0.64 |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $16.09 | $33,460 | 11,420 | 1.28 |
| Arizona | $17.67 | $36,750 | 16,590 | 0.89 |
| California | $18.92 | $39,350 | 112,750 | 1.08 |
| Idaho | $15.15 | $31,510 | 4,670 | 0.95 |
| Oregon | $18.00 | $37,450 | 11,860 | 1.05 |
| Utah | $16.12 | $33,540 | 10,530 | 1.06 |
See the national page for Food Preparation Workers (every state ranked) and the Nevada 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 Nevada 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.