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Compare food handler licensing requirements across 51 US states and territories. Click any row to view that state's full licensing guide.
Avg. Median Salary
$30,455
across 51 states
Avg. Time to License
1 months
across 51 states
Avg. Initial Cost
$81
across 49 states
| State | Median Salary | Time to License | Initial Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $25,200#49 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Alaska | $33,800#11 | 2 wk | $88 | 2 wk |
| Arizona | $30,400#22 | 2 wk | $86 | 2 wk |
| Arkansas | $24,800#50 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| California | $36,200#4 | 2 wk | $85 | 2 wk |
| Colorado | $34,200#9 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Connecticut | $34,800#6 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Delaware | $31,200#20 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| District of Columbia | $38,400#1 | 2 wk | $93 | 2 wk |
| Florida | $29,800#24 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Georgia | $28,400#34 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Hawaii | $34,600#7 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Idaho | $28,800#30 | 2 wk | $86 | 2 wk |
| Illinois | $32,200#19 | 2 wk | $86 | 2 wk |
| Indiana | $28,200#36 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Iowa | $27,800#39 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Kansas | $27,400#42 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Kentucky | $27,200#43 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Louisiana | $26,400#46 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Maine | $32,400#18 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Maryland | $33,600#12 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Massachusetts | $36,800#3 | 2 wk | $93 | 2 wk |
| Michigan | $29,600#26 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Minnesota | $32,800#16 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Mississippi | $24,200#51 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Missouri | $28,600#32 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Montana | $29,400#27 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Nebraska | $28,000#38 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Nevada | $32,600#17 | 2 wk | $96 | 2 wk |
| New Hampshire | $33,200#14 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| New Jersey | $34,400#8 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| New Mexico | $27,600#40 | 2 wk | $86 | 2 wk |
| New York | $35,600#5 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| North Carolina | $28,800#31 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| North Dakota | $29,200#28 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Ohio | $28,400#35 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Oklahoma | $26,200#47 | 2 wk | $86 | 2 wk |
| Oregon | $34,000#10 | 2 wk | $88 | 2 wk |
| Pennsylvania | $29,800#25 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Rhode Island | $33,400#13 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| South Carolina | $27,200#44 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| South Dakota | $27,000#45 | 0 wk | — | 0 wk |
| Tennessee | $27,600#41 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Texas | $28,200#37 | 2 wk | $85 | 2 wk |
| Utah | $30,200#23 | 2 wk | $86 | 2 wk |
| Vermont | $33,000#15 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Virginia | $30,800#21 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Washington | $37,400#2 | 2 wk | $88 | 2 wk |
| West Virginia | $25,600#48 | 2 wk | $86 | 2 wk |
| Wisconsin | $29,200#29 | 3 wk | $78 | 3 wk |
| Wyoming | $28,600#33 | 0 wk | — | 0 wk |
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Timeline and processing times derived from state licensing board requirements. Cost includes government application and exam fees (excludes education/training costs). Rankings use dense ranking — tied values share the same rank.