Home > Salary > South Africa > Food Preparation Worker
A food preparation worker is responsible for assisting in the preparation and cooking of food in various food establishments such as restaurants, cafeterias, and hotels. Their primary role is to perform basic tasks like peeling, chopping, slicing, and dicing fruits, vegetables, and meats. They may also be involved in measuring and mixing ingredients, operating kitchen equipment, and maintaining a clean and organized work area.
Food preparation workers often work under the supervision of chefs or cooks and follow their instructions to ensure that food is prepared according to recipes and quality standards. They may also be involved in packaging and labeling food items, as well as assisting with inventory management and stock rotation.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,121 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,093 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,175 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 29 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,927 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,137 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 28 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,069 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 256 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 59 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 1 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,121 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,093 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,175 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 29 ZAR per hour
Our data indicates that by working as Food Preparation Worker you will not be able to save much money and will likely need to make adjustments to your lifestyle to go comfortably through the month.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Food Preparation Worker
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
Random salary:
Retail department supervisor (78,720 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Bean roaster (69,826 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Technical account manager (194,234 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Agricultural equipment operator (65,057 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Milling planing machine setter operator tender metal and plastic (91,640 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Food Preparation Worker salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Food Preparation Worker in South Africa is approximately 61,121 ZAR (3,069 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Food Preparation Worker do?
A food preparation worker is responsible for assisting in the preparation and cooking of food in various food establishments such as restaurants, cafeterias, and hotels. Their primary role is to perform basic tasks like peeling, chopping, slicing, and dicing fruits, vegetables, and meats. They may also be involved in measuring and mixing ingredients, operating kitchen equipment, and maintaining a clean and organized work area.
Food preparation workers often work under the supervision of chefs or cooks and follow their instructions to ensure that food is prepared according to recipes and quality standards. They may also be involved in packaging and labeling food items, as well as assisting with inventory management and stock rotation.
Skills: Food preparation, Kitchen assistant, Food handling, Culinary support, Kitchen sanitation, Ingredient preparation
Job industry: Hospitality
Job industry: Hospitality
How much does Food Preparation Worker make?
Salary details
How much does Food Preparation Worker make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,121 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,093 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,175 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 29 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 59,120 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 4,927 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,137 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 28 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06Food Preparation Worker estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,069 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 256 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 59 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 1 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Food Preparation Worker job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Food Preparation Worker in South Africa earns on average:
0.48 times the average salary (or 48% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Food Preparation Worker job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Food Preparation Worker in South Africa earns on average:
0.48 times the average salary (or 48% of average salary).
Is Food Preparation Worker a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Food Preparation Worker is quite an underpaid paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Food Preparation Worker might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Food Preparation Worker?
High salary for Food Preparation Worker would be somewhere between 67,233 ZAR and 88,625 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Food Preparation Worker in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,121 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,093 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,175 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 29 ZAR per hour
Our data indicates that by working as Food Preparation Worker you will not be able to save much money and will likely need to make adjustments to your lifestyle to go comfortably through the month.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Food Preparation Worker
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in South Africa
(1,412,867 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(1,176,011 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,138,908 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,102,268 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(1,100,784 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,077,960 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,792 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,439 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
9. Oncologist
(1,071,922 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
10. Urologist
(1,071,632 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Data as of 2025Random salary:
Retail department supervisor (78,720 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Bean roaster (69,826 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Technical account manager (194,234 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Agricultural equipment operator (65,057 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Milling planing machine setter operator tender metal and plastic (91,640 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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