Food Preparation Workers pay range in Burlington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $33,960 a year or less, while the top 10% make $51,080 or more. The middle half of food preparation workers in Burlington earn between $36,340 and $45,260.
- $34K10th
- $36K25th
- $37KMedian
- $45K75th
- $51K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $39,940 | $3,328 | $19.20 |
| Median | $37,040 | $3,087 | $17.81 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,340 | $3,028 | $17.47 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $45,260 | $3,772 | $21.76 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Preparation Workers pay in Burlington vs. Vermont and the U.S.
Food preparation workers in Burlington earn about the same as the Vermont average ($38,850) and 13% more than the U.S. average ($35,290). At the median the gap is +5% against the U.S. median of $35,320.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $39,940 | $37,040 | $33,960 | $51,080 | 450 |
| Vermont | $38,850 | $36,550 | $31,840 | $49,020 | 1,350 |
| United States | $35,290 | $35,320 | $25,810 | $45,340 | 893,600 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Food Preparation Workers salary after taxes in Burlington
On the average salary of $39,940, a single filer in Burlington takes home about $33,246 a year, or $2,771 a month and $1,279 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Vermont tax is estimated with the Department of Taxes' 2026 withholding formula.
Is Burlington a good place for food preparation workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Burlington area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.9), so the average $39,940 buys what about $39,565 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Burlington ($60,020). A typical home costs $472,552, or 11.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Preparation Workers salary in nearby metro areas
- Glens Falls, NY$35,660
- Albany, NY$37,270
- Manchester, NH$35,400
- Utica, NY$34,830
- Lewiston, ME$36,270
- Portland, ME$39,110
Highest-paying cities for food preparation workers
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($48,150).
- Kahului, HI$48,150
- San Jose, CA$45,660
- Seattle, WA$44,390
- Napa, CA$44,240
- Santa Rosa, CA$43,450
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Food Preparation Workers salary in Burlington: questions
How much do food preparation workers make an hour in Burlington?
$19.20 an hour on average, and $17.81 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Burlington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $33,960 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,340, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food preparation workers take-home pay in Burlington?
About $33,246 a year ($2,771 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $39,940. Vermont tax is estimated with the Department of Taxes' 2026 withholding formula.
Do food preparation workers earn more in Burlington than elsewhere?
The average here is 13% more than the U.S. average for this job ($35,290).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2021; area Burlington-South Burlington, VT (15540). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.8%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Vermont tax is estimated with the Department of Taxes' 2026 withholding formula.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.65, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.65).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.