Food Preparer Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
A high school diploma will generally suffice in order to become a food preparer. However, vocational courses and higher degrees always help in the advancement of one’s career.
Training and Education
Employees often obtain short-term on-the-job training before starting. The percentage of food preparers with college degrees is 7%. Workers with some college (less than a bachelor's degree) represent about 19% of the total. Some employees, about 74%, had a high-school education.
Job Overview
Food preparers work under the direction of chefs and do the repetitive and regular work of making cold items, salads, dicing and slicing vegetables and make the initial preparations for the cooking of elaborate dishes.
Job Requirements
Training is a very important requirement for a food preparer. The process begins with learning about workplace safety and cleanliness, and goes on to the details of handling and preparing food. Those who become adept at these basics and show an inclination towards learning the more difficult procedures of cooking may advance to supervisory positions in cooking.
The American Culinary Federation offers various certifications. The standards for these certifications are largely dependent on the experience and formal training level of the candidate. These certifications may have an impact on career advancement and lead to more higher paid positions.
Food preparers need to be able to work as a part of a team, along with being efficient and quick in their jobs. They need to be able to chop, dice, slice and grind vegetables and meat. In addition, a fine sense of smell and taste and creativity can help them excel in their jobs. Personal cleanliness is particularly important, and in many states, food preparers are required to have a certificate testifying that they have no communicable disease.
Nature of Work
Food preparers evaluate and weigh the ingredients required for cooking. They make sauces and even stir and strain soups. After the cooking is done, they clean dishes, utensils and the surrounding work area.
The conditions of work for a food preparer depends greatly on the local laws that regulate the operations of food services. It also depends on the type and quantity of food being prepared. Their job requires them to stand and work for long hours as they are involved in the entire process of food preparation, right from the initial stage of getting the ingredients ready to the final stage of cleaning after the cooking has been done. Food preparers are also susceptible to the hazards of burns and cuts as they have to work with knives, scissors, ovens and burners.
Area Job Conditions
Popular locations for food preparers include Missoula (Montana), Alexandria (Louisiana), and New Orleans (Louisiana). Fewer are found in Killeen (Texas), Dalton (Georgia), and Amarillo (Texas).
Workers looking for high salaries should look at Anchorage (Alaska), State College (Pennsylvania), and Las Vegas (Nevada), and should avoid Lafayette (Louisiana), El Paso (Texas), and Wichita Falls (Texas).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Part-time food preparers are 45% of all surveyed. Some workers, about 1%, work for themselves.
Career Videos
Food Preparers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $18,000 | 570 | +154% |
| Birmingham | $19,000 | 2,320 | -19% |
| Decatur | $19,000 | 300 | +8% |
| Dothan | $18,000 | 300 | -1% |
| Florence | $17,000 | 340 | +27% |
| Gadsden | $18,000 | 100 | -42% |
| Huntsville | $19,000 | 1,050 | -11% |
| Mobile | $18,000 | 1,240 | +25% |
| Montgomery | $19,000 | 1,120 | +22% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $23,000 | 1,570 | +66% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $19,000 | 480 | +64% |
| Kingman | $20,000 | 220 | -9% |
| Phoenix | $23,000 | 7,330 | -29% |
| Prescott | $20,000 | 480 | +72% |
| Tucson | $23,000 | 1,660 | -16% |
| Yuma | $19,000 | 220 | -24% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $18,000 | 1,020 | -12% |
| Fort Smith | $18,000 | 500 | -26% |
| Hot Springs | $20,000 | 340 | +89% |
| Jonesboro | $18,000 | 160 | -33% |
| Little Rock | $19,000 | 1,850 | -8% |
| Pine Bluff | $17,000 | 100 | -32% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $20,000 | 1,500 | +0% |
| Chico | $21,000 | 430 | +17% |
| El Centro | $21,000 | 230 | -10% |
| Fresno | $20,000 | 2,620 | +42% |
| Hanford | $20,000 | 130 | -23% |
| Los Angeles | $20,000 | 25,790 | +8% |
| Merced | $19,000 | 310 | +5% |
| Modesto | $21,000 | 900 | +3% |
| Napa | $25,000 | 580 | +76% |
| Oakland | $22,000 | 6,300 | +7% |
| Oxnard | $21,000 | 1,800 | +5% |
| Redding | $20,000 | 230 | -27% |
| Riverside | $21,000 | 8,570 | +21% |
| Sacramento | $22,000 | 5,370 | +5% |
| Salinas | $20,000 | 1,530 | +70% |
| San Diego | $21,000 | 9,850 | +28% |
| San Francisco | $23,000 | 6,730 | +15% |
| San Jose | $21,000 | 5,480 | +4% |
| San Luis Obispo | $21,000 | 820 | +63% |
| Santa Ana | $21,000 | 11,000 | +28% |
| Santa Barbara | $22,000 | 1,670 | +77% |
| Santa Cruz | $22,000 | 620 | +32% |
| Santa Rosa | $21,000 | 1,620 | +65% |
| Stockton | $24,000 | 1,610 | +35% |
| Vallejo | $20,000 | 760 | +15% |
| Visalia | $24,000 | 710 | -5% |
| Yuba City | $19,000 | 230 | +20% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $21,000 | 920 | +7% |
| Colorado Springs | $20,000 | 1,060 | -27% |
| Denver | $22,000 | 4,910 | -33% |
| Fort Collins | $19,000 | 920 | +32% |
| Grand Junction | $20,000 | 450 | +52% |
| Greeley | $21,000 | 460 | +19% |
| Pueblo | $24,000 | 390 | +32% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $25,000 | 3,350 | +35% |
| Danbury | $22,000 | 440 | +22% |
| Hartford | $24,000 | 4,100 | +22% |
| New Haven | $26,000 | 2,220 | +42% |
| Norwich | $25,000 | 1,590 | +134% |
| Waterbury | $23,000 | 620 | +73% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $20,000 | 460 | +73% |
| Wilmington | $21,000 | 1,100 | -42% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $22,000 | 12,580 | -12% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $20,000 | 1,420 | +29% |
| Deltona | $20,000 | 810 | -6% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $21,000 | 3,910 | -5% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $20,000 | 440 | +8% |
| Gainesville | $19,000 | 730 | +9% |
| Jacksonville | $20,000 | 4,350 | +24% |
| Lakeland | $20,000 | 780 | -27% |
| Miami | $20,000 | 6,310 | +9% |
| Naples | $24,000 | 1,400 | +127% |
| Ocala | $18,000 | 680 | +43% |
| Orlando | $19,000 | 7,860 | +31% |
| Palm Bay | $19,000 | 1,770 | +58% |
| Palm Coast | $19,000 | 80 | +9% |
| Panama City | $20,000 | 450 | +24% |
| Pensacola | $19,000 | 790 | -5% |
| Port St Lucie | $21,000 | 1,070 | +63% |
| Punta Gorda | $19,000 | 460 | +135% |
| Sarasota | $20,000 | 2,710 | +92% |
| Sebastian | $20,000 | 400 | +66% |
| Tallahassee | $19,000 | 1,000 | +10% |
| Tampa | $19,000 | 9,390 | +39% |
| West Palm Beach | $22,000 | 4,180 | +38% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $17,000 | 270 | -17% |
| Athens | $21,000 | 420 | +11% |
| Atlanta | $21,000 | 10,890 | -20% |
| Augusta | $19,000 | 810 | -31% |
| Brunswick | $21,000 | 140 | -32% |
| Columbus | $19,000 | 630 | +4% |
| Dalton | $19,000 | 110 | -69% |
| Gainesville | $19,000 | 280 | -24% |
| Hinesville | $21,000 | 50 | -17% |
| Macon | $19,000 | 450 | -8% |
| Rome | $18,000 | 200 | +15% |
| Savannah | $24,000 | 620 | -26% |
| Valdosta | $21,000 | 80 | -69% |
| Warner Robins | $20,000 | 180 | -35% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $21,000 | 4,450 | +74% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $18,000 | 970 | -35% |
| Coeur Dalene | $20,000 | 190 | -27% |
| Idaho Falls | $18,000 | 460 | +93% |
| Lewiston | $20,000 | 180 | +64% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $19,000 | 550 | +47% |
| Champaign | $20,000 | 1,080 | +93% |
| Chicago | $21,000 | 20,820 | -6% |
| Danville | $19,000 | 210 | +60% |
| Decatur | $22,000 | 420 | +82% |
| Kankakee | $19,000 | 460 | +122% |
| Peoria | $19,000 | 2,600 | +170% |
| Rockford | $20,000 | 660 | -16% |
| Springfield | $20,000 | 1,050 | +78% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $20,000 | 270 | +42% |
| Bloomington | $21,000 | 520 | +41% |
| Elkhart | $20,000 | 370 | -38% |
| Evansville | $18,000 | 700 | -28% |
| Fort Wayne | $20,000 | 800 | -31% |
| Gary | $21,000 | 1,440 | -7% |
| Indianapolis | $21,000 | 4,670 | -11% |
| Kokomo | $20,000 | 120 | -38% |
| Lafayette | $19,000 | 300 | -26% |
| Michigan City | $20,000 | 320 | +55% |
| Muncie | $18,000 | 330 | +42% |
| Terre Haute | $20,000 | 510 | +41% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $18,000 | 530 | -32% |
| Davenport | $20,000 | 1,100 | +4% |
| Des Moines | $20,000 | 850 | -55% |
| Dubuque | $20,000 | 440 | +59% |
| Iowa City | $22,000 | 440 | +17% |
| Sioux City | $19,000 | 370 | -4% |
| Waterloo | $18,000 | 370 | -20% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $18,000 | 600 | +173% |
| Manhattan | $17,000 | 490 | +82% |
| Topeka | $19,000 | 790 | +30% |
| Wichita | $19,000 | 1,480 | -11% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $19,000 | 150 | -48% |
| Elizabethtown | $20,000 | 160 | -29% |
| Lexington | $22,000 | 1,100 | -20% |
| Louisville | $20,000 | 3,970 | +12% |
| Owensboro | $19,000 | 320 | +32% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $18,000 | 770 | +128% |
| Baton Rouge | $17,000 | 4,620 | +113% |
| Houma | $18,000 | 1,030 | +99% |
| Lafayette | $17,000 | 2,560 | +220% |
| Lake Charles | $18,000 | 1,630 | +241% |
| Monroe | $17,000 | 930 | +127% |
| New Orleans | $18,000 | 10,050 | +224% |
| Shreveport | $17,000 | 1,920 | +89% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $21,000 | 520 | +62% |
| Lewiston | $21,000 | 370 | +43% |
| Portland | $22,000 | 1,350 | +18% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $23,000 | 6,270 | -19% |
| Bethesda | $23,000 | 2,840 | -16% |
| Cumberland | $18,000 | 300 | +64% |
| Hagerstown | $20,000 | 660 | +25% |
| Salisbury | $21,000 | 210 | -24% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $24,000 | 840 | +55% |
| Boston | $24,000 | 10,280 | +0% |
| Brockton | $24,000 | 530 | +8% |
| Framingham | $25,000 | 730 | -21% |
| Haverhill | $21,000 | 370 | -16% |
| Lawrence | $18,000 | 490 | +57% |
| Leominster | $22,000 | 350 | +38% |
| Lowell | $22,000 | 360 | -46% |
| New Bedford | $22,000 | 380 | +11% |
| Peabody | $23,000 | 560 | +0% |
| Pittsfield | $22,000 | 280 | +76% |
| Springfield | $22,000 | 1,740 | +1% |
| Taunton | $22,000 | 330 | +45% |
| Worcester | $22,000 | 1,540 | +7% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $22,000 | 690 | -27% |
| Battle Creek | $20,000 | 180 | -33% |
| Detroit | $23,000 | 3,680 | -6% |
| Flint | $21,000 | 580 | -20% |
| Grand Rapids | $20,000 | 2,670 | +22% |
| Holland | $19,000 | 310 | -41% |
| Jackson | $20,000 | 490 | +96% |
| Kalamazoo | $20,000 | 470 | -38% |
| Lansing | $22,000 | 960 | -15% |
| Monroe | $23,000 | 220 | +21% |
| Muskegon | $20,000 | 570 | +96% |
| Niles | $23,000 | 250 | -17% |
| Saginaw | $18,000 | 310 | -30% |
| Warren | $22,000 | 6,750 | +6% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $22,000 | 580 | -20% |
| Mankato | $19,000 | 90 | -69% |
| Minneapolis | $22,000 | 4,180 | -60% |
| Rochester | $25,000 | 340 | -39% |
| St Cloud | $23,000 | 380 | -27% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $18,000 | 1,510 | +156% |
| Hattiesburg | $18,000 | 1,060 | +255% |
| Jackson | $17,000 | 2,990 | +105% |
| Pascagoula | $17,000 | 780 | +230% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $18,000 | 280 | +24% |
| Columbia | $19,000 | 460 | +7% |
| Jefferson City | $18,000 | 390 | -1% |
| Joplin | $19,000 | 200 | -53% |
| Kansas City | $21,000 | 5,450 | -9% |
| Springfield | $19,000 | 650 | -40% |
| St Joseph | $26,000 | 140 | -47% |
| St Louis | $20,000 | 5,660 | -28% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $20,000 | 520 | +15% |
| Great Falls | $19,000 | 200 | +10% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $20,000 | 710 | -21% |
| Omaha | $21,000 | 2,380 | -13% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $27,000 | 5,940 | +19% |
| Reno | $21,000 | 1,240 | +14% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $21,000 | 530 | -7% |
| Nashua | $21,000 | 560 | -27% |
| Portsmouth | $23,000 | 240 | -20% |
| Rochester | $19,000 | 390 | +40% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $23,000 | 1,330 | +64% |
| Camden | $22,000 | 2,360 | -23% |
| Edison | $21,000 | 4,960 | -18% |
| Newark | $22,000 | 4,650 | -21% |
| Ocean City | $22,000 | 280 | +35% |
| Trenton | $22,000 | 1,010 | -22% |
| Vineland | $20,000 | 290 | -8% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $21,000 | 2,190 | -2% |
| Farmington | $18,000 | 180 | -29% |
| Santa Fe | $23,000 | 560 | +71% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $21,000 | 3,320 | +26% |
| Binghamton | $20,000 | 740 | +19% |
| Buffalo | $20,000 | 4,640 | +43% |
| Elmira | $18,000 | 360 | +89% |
| Glens Falls | $21,000 | 550 | +104% |
| Ithaca | $22,000 | 670 | +225% |
| Kingston | $19,000 | 590 | +86% |
| Nassau | $24,000 | 9,080 | +21% |
| New York | $24,000 | 38,980 | +27% |
| Poughkeepsie | $22,000 | 2,200 | +55% |
| Rochester | $20,000 | 4,490 | +52% |
| Syracuse | $21,000 | 2,970 | +64% |
| Utica | $20,000 | 1,330 | +92% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $19,000 | 1,140 | +14% |
| Burlington | $19,000 | 360 | +22% |
| Charlotte | $20,000 | 5,210 | +3% |
| Durham | $20,000 | 1,980 | +24% |
| Fayetteville | $19,000 | 1,080 | +54% |
| Greensboro | $18,000 | 1,960 | -5% |
| Greenville | $18,000 | 330 | -8% |
| Hickory | $21,000 | 1,150 | +39% |
| Jacksonville | $18,000 | 380 | +76% |
| Raleigh | $19,000 | 3,720 | +23% |
| Rocky Mount | $18,000 | 370 | +23% |
| Wilmington | $18,000 | 1,470 | +93% |
| Winston Salem | $20,000 | 1,550 | +29% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $22,000 | 220 | -36% |
| Fargo | $21,000 | 660 | -3% |
| Grand Forks | $21,000 | 260 | +5% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $19,000 | 1,710 | -8% |
| Canton | $18,000 | 780 | -17% |
| Cincinnati | $21,000 | 5,450 | -9% |
| Cleveland | $20,000 | 5,360 | -11% |
| Columbus | $22,000 | 3,680 | -32% |
| Dayton | $23,000 | 1,830 | -18% |
| Lima | $19,000 | 290 | +8% |
| Mansfield | $20,000 | 430 | +61% |
| Springfield | $18,000 | 520 | +112% |
| Steubenville | $19,000 | 300 | +43% |
| Toledo | $22,000 | 1,270 | -25% |
| Youngstown | $20,000 | 1,400 | +8% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $18,000 | 220 | +7% |
| Oklahoma City | $18,000 | 3,070 | -9% |
| Tulsa | $18,000 | 1,410 | -44% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $22,000 | 320 | -4% |
| Corvallis | $20,000 | 210 | +62% |
| Eugene | $22,000 | 1,050 | +33% |
| Medford | $23,000 | 410 | -1% |
| Portland | $23,000 | 4,930 | -18% |
| Salem | $21,000 | 870 | +4% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $21,000 | 1,930 | -4% |
| Altoona | $19,000 | 380 | +19% |
| Erie | $19,000 | 940 | +32% |
| Harrisburg | $21,000 | 1,980 | +7% |
| Johnstown | $19,000 | 460 | +57% |
| Lancaster | $20,000 | 2,590 | +92% |
| Lebanon | $18,000 | 280 | +21% |
| Philadelphia | $23,000 | 11,280 | 0% |
| Pittsburgh | $21,000 | 8,060 | +19% |
| Reading | $19,000 | 760 | -19% |
| Scranton | $20,000 | 1,320 | -12% |
| State College | $27,000 | 690 | +109% |
| Williamsport | $20,000 | 380 | +43% |
| York | $20,000 | 1,140 | +14% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $23,000 | 3,320 | +2% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $19,000 | 380 | +29% |
| Charleston | $19,000 | 1,710 | +3% |
| Columbia | $18,000 | 2,470 | +21% |
| Florence | $19,000 | 460 | +8% |
| Greenville | $18,000 | 1,620 | -7% |
| Myrtle Beach | $19,000 | 980 | +63% |
| Spartanburg | $19,000 | 750 | +18% |
| Sumter | $18,000 | 220 | +37% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $18,000 | 490 | +46% |
| Sioux Falls | $20,000 | 1,400 | +80% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $18,000 | 1,470 | +13% |
| Clarksville | $19,000 | 560 | +33% |
| Jackson | $19,000 | 150 | -51% |
| Johnson City | $19,000 | 450 | +17% |
| Kingsport | $19,000 | 830 | +23% |
| Knoxville | $21,000 | 2,030 | +5% |
| Memphis | $19,000 | 3,630 | +0% |
| Morristown | $18,000 | 420 | +80% |
| Nashville | $20,000 | 3,910 | -10% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | $18,000 | 520 | -11% |
| Austin | $20,000 | 2,570 | -44% |
| Beaumont | $18,000 | 610 | -33% |
| Brownsville | $17,000 | 660 | -9% |
| College Station | $18,000 | 490 | -2% |
| Corpus Christi | $18,000 | 1,540 | +52% |
| El Paso | $17,000 | 1,450 | -8% |
| Fort Worth | $19,000 | 2,410 | -53% |
| Houston | $21,000 | 8,900 | -43% |
| Killeen | $18,000 | 290 | -60% |
| Laredo | $18,000 | 850 | +102% |
| Longview | $17,000 | 280 | -46% |
| Lubbock | $19,000 | 590 | -16% |
| Mcallen | $20,000 | 1,190 | -10% |
| Midland | $19,000 | 280 | -16% |
| Odessa | $18,000 | 250 | -15% |
| San Angelo | $19,000 | 140 | -33% |
| San Antonio | $18,000 | 3,310 | -36% |
| Sherman | $18,000 | 110 | -47% |
| Texarkana | $18,000 | 310 | +10% |
| Tyler | $18,000 | 360 | -27% |
| Victoria | $18,000 | 180 | -27% |
| Waco | $18,000 | 400 | -27% |
| Wichita Falls | $17,000 | 220 | -24% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $19,000 | 200 | -17% |
| Ogden | $19,000 | 490 | -57% |
| Salt Lake City | $19,000 | 1,900 | -47% |
| St George | $20,000 | 240 | +3% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $22,000 | 570 | -8% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $19,000 | 230 | -28% |
| Danville | $18,000 | 320 | +88% |
| Harrisonburg | $20,000 | 250 | -14% |
| Lynchburg | $19,000 | 370 | -32% |
| Richmond | $20,000 | 2,550 | -29% |
| Roanoke | $19,000 | 870 | -1% |
| Virginia Beach | $20,000 | 3,850 | -14% |
| Winchester | $19,000 | 270 | +6% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $22,000 | 310 | -21% |
| Bremerton | $25,000 | 440 | -2% |
| Kennewick | $23,000 | 270 | -51% |
| Longview | $23,000 | 120 | -26% |
| Mount Vernon | $21,000 | 230 | +2% |
| Olympia | $22,000 | 240 | -56% |
| Seattle | $24,000 | 6,310 | -24% |
| Spokane | $23,000 | 980 | -16% |
| Tacoma | $21,000 | 1,290 | -15% |
| Yakima | $21,000 | 270 | -40% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $19,000 | 580 | -29% |
| Huntington | $19,000 | 800 | +27% |
| Morgantown | $20,000 | 370 | +34% |
| Parkersburg | $19,000 | 490 | +36% |
| Wheeling | $21,000 | 410 | +19% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $19,000 | 580 | -9% |
| Eau Claire | $22,000 | 430 | +9% |
| Fond | $20,000 | 380 | +76% |
| Green Bay | $21,000 | 740 | -22% |
| Janesville | $18,000 | 200 | -40% |
| La Crosse | $20,000 | 290 | -24% |
| Madison | $22,000 | 1,010 | -49% |
| Milwaukee | $20,000 | 2,880 | -41% |
| Oshkosh | $19,000 | 320 | -33% |
| Racine | $19,000 | 210 | -47% |
| Sheboygan | $20,000 | 390 | +34% |
| Wausau | $19,000 | 350 | 0% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $20,000 | 270 | +49% |
| Cheyenne | $20,000 | 180 | -16% |