Food Preparation Workers salary in New Jersey — GUPPI +4.5%
What is the wage premium for Food Preparation Workers in New Jersey?
New Jersey pays $35,540/year for Food Preparation Workers (BLS OEWS May 2025) — +4.5% in line with the national employment-weighted average of $34,010. Gera US Pay Premium Index (GUPPI): +4.5%. Updated annually from BLS OEWS.
Gera US Pay Premium Index
New Jersey ranks #19 of 51 states for Food Preparation Workers pay. National employment-weighted average: $34,010.
How this is calculatedState median
$35,540
BLS OEWS May 2025
National avg
$34,010
Emp-weighted mean
State rank
#19
of 51 states
Food Preparation Workers — GUPPI by US state
All states where BLS publishes a median, ranked highest premium first. GUPPI = (state median − employment-weighted national average) / national average × 100.
| # | State | Median salary | GUPPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,910 | +20.3% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 | +16.4% |
| 3 | California | $39,350 | +15.7% |
| 4 | Colorado | $38,960 | +14.6% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 | +14.4% |
| 6 | Hawaii | $38,160 | +12.2% |
| 7 | Oregon | $37,450 | +10.1% |
| 8 | North Dakota | $36,800 | +8.2% |
| 9 | Arizona | $36,750 | +8.1% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $36,780 | +8.1% |
| 11 | Connecticut | $36,650 | +7.8% |
| 12 | Vermont | $36,550 | +7.5% |
| 13 | Wyoming | $36,110 | +6.2% |
| 14 | Maine | $36,030 | +5.9% |
| 15 | Florida | $35,920 | +5.6% |
| 16 | Delaware | $35,930 | +5.6% |
| 17 | Alaska | $35,720 | +5.0% |
| 18 | New York | $35,610 | +4.7% |
| 19 | New Jersey ← | $35,540 | +4.5% |
| 20 | Maryland | $35,500 | +4.4% |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $35,470 | +4.3% |
| 22 | Georgia | $35,250 | +3.6% |
| 23 | Nebraska | $35,210 | +3.5% |
| 24 | Virginia | $34,900 | +2.6% |
| 25 | Minnesota | $34,850 | +2.5% |
| 26 | Illinois | $34,850 | +2.5% |
| 27 | Ohio | $34,530 | +1.5% |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $34,070 | +0.2% |
| 29 | Montana | $33,860 | −0.4% |
| 30 | Utah | $33,540 | −1.4% |
| 31 | Nevada | $33,460 | −1.6% |
| 32 | New Mexico | $33,370 | −1.9% |
| 33 | South Carolina | $32,180 | −5.4% |
| 34 | Missouri | $31,510 | −7.4% |
| 35 | Idaho | $31,510 | −7.4% |
| 36 | Michigan | $31,180 | −8.3% |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $30,840 | −9.3% |
| 38 | Texas | $30,650 | −9.9% |
| 39 | South Dakota | $30,430 | −10.5% |
| 40 | Iowa | $30,360 | −10.7% |
| 41 | Kansas | $30,280 | −11.0% |
| 42 | North Carolina | $30,260 | −11.0% |
| 43 | Indiana | $29,700 | −12.7% |
| 44 | Tennessee | $28,700 | −15.6% |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $28,540 | −16.1% |
| 46 | West Virginia | $28,360 | −16.6% |
| 47 | Alabama | $27,930 | −17.9% |
| 48 | Arkansas | $27,660 | −18.7% |
| 49 | Kentucky | $26,850 | −21.1% |
| 50 | Mississippi | $26,240 | −22.8% |
| 51 | Louisiana | $23,620 | −30.6% |
See how your salary compares — GUPPI calculator
Pick a US state and enter your gross annual salary. We show how it compares to the BLS state median for Food Preparation Workers and to the national average (GUPPI).
BLS median salary for Food Preparation Workers in New Jersey: $35,540 per year — 4.5% above the national average.
Enter a salary above to see your personal GUPPI position.
BLS OEWS May 2025. GUPPI = (state median − employment-weighted national average) / national average × 100. Full methodology.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do Food Preparation Workers earn in New Jersey?
- The BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Food Preparation Workers in New Jersey is $35,540. This is the midpoint — half of Food Preparation Workerss in the state earn more, half earn less.
- Is New Jersey a high-paying state for Food Preparation Workers?
- New Jersey pays +4.5% in line with the national employment-weighted average for Food Preparation Workers (GUPPI +4.5%). New Jersey is close to the national average for this occupation.
- What is the Gera US Pay Premium Index (GUPPI) for Food Preparation Workers in New Jersey?
- GUPPI = (state median − employment-weighted national average) / national average × 100. For Food Preparation Workers in New Jersey: ($35,540 − $34,010) / $34,010 × 100 = +4.5%. See the methodology page for full formula and data source details.
- How does New Jersey compare to other states for Food Preparation Workers salaries?
- New Jersey ranks #19 of 51 states where BLS publishes a median wage for Food Preparation Workers, based on the Gera US Pay Premium Index (GUPPI +4.5%). Top-ranked state: Washington (GUPPI +20.3%, median $40,910).
Find Food Preparation Workers jobs in New Jersey with salary ranges
GeraJobs lists live vacancies where employers state salary ranges — search New Jersey to see which roles match the GUPPI benchmark.
Compare other states for Food Preparation Workers
Data source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · May 2025 state estimates · Public domain (U.S. federal government work)
GUPPI computed by GeraJobs. Last updated: 2026-06-20. Full methodology · ← All occupations