Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Food processor salary
Average food processor salary
$15.11
Understanding Food Processor Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a food processor stands at $31,432 per year, translating to approximately $15 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, location, and industry specialization. Entry-level positions typically start around $25,000, while experienced processors can earn upwards of $40,000 annually.
Where Can Food Processors Earn More?
Geographic location plays a crucial role in salary variations. States like California and Washington often offer higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor. Additionally, food processors employed in the manufacturing sector generally report higher earnings compared to those in retail or service roles.
Career Advancement Opportunities
With experience, food processors can transition into supervisory or management roles, leading to increased earning potential. Specialized positions, such as quality control inspectors or food safety managers, may also offer higher salaries and greater job stability. Continuous training and certification in food safety regulations can further enhance career prospects.
Let Zippia find your next food processor job
Let Zippia find your next food processor job
Where can a Food Processor earn more?
Food processor salaries by experience level
Food processor salary estimates from across the web
Average food processor salary by state
The average food processor salary in Oregon, Rhode Island, and Colorado are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average food processor salary states are Kentucky, Georgia, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for food processors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| 2 | Alaska | $35,221 | $16.93 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| 4 | Colorado | $38,437 | $18.48 |
| 5 | Oregon | $39,558 | $19.02 |
| 6 | Washington | $34,930 | $16.79 |
| 7 | South Dakota | $29,711 | $14.28 |
| 8 | Vermont | $36,497 | $17.55 |
| 9 | Iowa | $31,847 | $15.31 |
| 10 | Florida | $31,531 | $15.16 |
| 11 | Nebraska | $33,345 | $16.03 |
| 12 | Michigan | $29,542 | $14.20 |
| 13 | Utah | $32,558 | $15.65 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $29,935 | $14.39 |
| 15 | New York | $34,371 | $16.52 |
| 16 | Connecticut | $31,396 | $15.09 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $28,476 | $13.69 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $31,923 | $15.35 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $31,736 | $15.26 |
| 20 | California | $34,626 | $16.65 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $32,626 | $15.69 |
| 22 | Texas | $29,080 | $13.98 |
| 23 | Arizona | $27,642 | $13.29 |
| 24 | Nevada | $27,798 | $13.36 |
| 25 | Montana | $28,731 | $13.81 |
| 26 | District of Columbia | $34,104 | $16.40 |
| 27 | Delaware | $28,229 | $13.57 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $29,611 | $14.24 |
| 29 | Indiana | $27,373 | $13.16 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $26,720 | $12.85 |
| 31 | Ohio | $27,636 | $13.29 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $28,543 | $13.72 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $26,501 | $12.74 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $25,539 | $12.28 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $31,970 | $15.37 |
| 36 | Illinois | $29,019 | $13.95 |
| 37 | Virginia | $27,488 | $13.22 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $25,073 | $12.05 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $24,129 | $11.60 |
| 40 | Kansas | $24,849 | $11.95 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $25,738 | $12.37 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $23,289 | $11.20 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $24,265 | $11.67 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $24,810 | $11.93 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $22,340 | $10.74 |
| 46 | Missouri | $24,578 | $11.82 |
| 47 | Idaho | $25,043 | $12.04 |
| 48 | Maryland | $26,610 | $12.79 |
| 49 | Georgia | $23,721 | $11.40 |
| 50 | Alabama | $22,629 | $10.88 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $22,255 | $10.70 |
Highest paying cities for food processors
The highest-paying cities for food processors are Hillsboro, OR, Greeley, CO, and Hayward, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsboro, OR | $39,606 | $19.04 |
| 2 | Greeley, CO | $38,614 | $18.56 |
| 3 | Hayward, CA | $35,571 | $17.10 |
| 4 | Anchorage, AK | $35,223 | $16.93 |
| 5 | Parkland, WA | $35,101 | $16.88 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $34,270 | $16.48 |
| 7 | Omaha, NE | $33,341 | $16.03 |
| 8 | Salt Lake City, UT | $32,545 | $15.65 |
| 9 | Austin, MN | $31,555 | $15.17 |
| 10 | Harrisburg, PA | $29,846 | $14.35 |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| 12 | Fort Worth, TX | $29,115 | $14.00 |
| 13 | Yuma, AZ | $28,079 | $13.50 |
| 14 | Massillon, OH | $27,833 | $13.38 |
| 15 | Indianapolis, IN | $27,264 | $13.11 |
| 16 | Pocatello, ID | $24,659 | $11.86 |
| 17 | Saint Louis, MO | $24,477 | $11.77 |
| 18 | Kennesaw, GA | $23,895 | $11.49 |
Food processor salary details
A food processor's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a food processor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $31,432 | $2,619 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying food processor jobs
The highest paying types of food processors are food expeditor, deli clerk, and catering assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Staff | $29,816 | $2,485 | $14.33 | 154,513 |
| Kitchen Helper | $25,796 | $2,150 | $12.40 | 80,202 |
| Bakery Clerk | $28,651 | $2,388 | $13.77 | 67,778 |
| Deli Clerk | $32,240 | $2,687 | $15.50 | 69,311 |
| Deli Worker | $28,578 | $2,382 | $13.74 | 37,658 |
| Sandwich Artist | $23,564 | $1,964 | $11.33 | 7,813 |
Top companies hiring food processors now:
Which companies pay food processors the most?
Food processor salaries at E.W. Grobbel Sons and Cargill are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average food processor salary at companies like DiscountMugs and Shearer's Foods are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E.W. Grobbel Sons | $39,466 | $18.97 |
| 2 | Cargill | $38,628 | $18.57 |
| 3 | DiscountMugs | $36,149 | $17.38 |
| 4 | Shearer's Foods | $36,116 | $17.36 |
| 5 | Planit | $34,724 | $16.69 |
| 6 | Snelling | $31,984 | $15.38 |
| 7 | HireLevel | $31,078 | $14.94 |
| 8 | paragon Co. | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| 9 | Allied Universal | $30,832 | $14.82 |
| 10 | Charlie's Produce | $30,549 | $14.69 |
| 11 | Baldor Specialty Foods | $30,415 | $14.62 |
| 12 | Elwood Staffing | $30,323 | $14.58 |
| 13 | Staff Management | $30,106 | $14.47 |
| 14 | ManpowerGroup | $30,084 | $14.46 |
| 15 | Staffmark | $30,077 | $14.46 |
| 16 | PeopleReady | $29,965 | $14.41 |
| 17 | Adecco | $29,941 | $14.39 |
| 18 | Allegiance Staffing | $29,828 | $14.34 |
| 19 | SmartTalent | $29,574 | $14.22 |
| 20 | Focus Workforces | $29,569 | $14.22 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Food Processor salary by industry
The average food processor salary varies across industries:
- The average food processor salary in the finance industry is $37,607, the highest of any industry.
- The average food processor salary in the finance industry is $34,385.
- Food processors in the hospitality industry earn an average salary of $29,537, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for food processors
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | $37,607 | $18.08 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $34,385 | $16.53 |
| 3 | Retail | $34,127 | $16.41 |
| 4 | Agriculture | $33,467 | $16.09 |
| 5 | Hospitality | $29,537 | $14.20 |
High paying food processor jobs
Food processor salary trends
The average food processor salary has risen by $8,199 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average food processor earned $23,233 annually, but today, they earn $31,432 a year. That works out to a 22% change in pay for food processors over the last decade.
Compare food processor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average food processor salary over time
Compare food processor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Food processor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,400 | $15.11 | +4.9% |
| 2024 | $29,900 | $14.38 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $28,600 | $13.76 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $27,400 | $13.18 | +5.7% |
| 2021 | $25,800 | $12.43 | +5.9% |
Recently added food processor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmer's Fridge | Food Production-Processing and Prep | Chicago, IL | 06/26/2025 | $34,018 |
| Labormax Staffing | Food Packaging & Processing | Holton, KS | 06/09/2025 | $29,218 |
| Cypress Valley Meat Compa | Food Production (Meat Processing): Processing Plant Personnel | Miami, OK | 04/28/2025 | $23,479 |
| Labormax Staffing | Food Packaging & Processing | Holton, KS | 04/23/2025 | $29,218 |
| SMA Advantage | Food Processor | Lincoln, NE | 04/08/2025 | $33,392 |
| Cypress Valley Meat Compa | Food Production (Meat Processing): Processing Plant Personnel | Miami, OK | 03/28/2025 | $23,479 |
| Aerotek | Food Processor-1St. Shift | Chambersburg, PA | 02/26/2025 | $43,430 |
| Peopleready | Food Processor | Gainesville, FL | 02/20/2025 | $41,740 |
| Winland Foods | Food Manufacturing Processing Premix | Atlanta, GA | 01/26/2025 | $43,827 |
| Tip Top Poultry Inc. | Food Processing | Marietta, GA | 01/04/2025 | $34,436 |
Food processor salary FAQs
Search for food processor jobs