Akron, OH · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Akron, OH

In the Akron, OH metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $34,800 ($16.73/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,800/year and the 90th was $44,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Ohio tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,635 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,800$16.73 per hour · $2,900 monthly
10th Percentile$26,800$12.88/hr base
25th Percentile$29,100$13.99/hr base
75th Percentile$38,300$18.41/hr base
90th Percentile$44,800$21.54/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$34,800
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,800
Net 85%
Fed 6%
OH 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,635After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,470Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,140Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,996 / yr
Ohio state income tax$507 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,662 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Akron, OH

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Akron, OH Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (OH)
10th Percentile$12.88/hr$2,233$26,800$23,680
25th Percentile$13.99/hr$2,425$29,100$25,212
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.73/hr$2,900$34,800$29,635
75th Percentile$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$32,351
90th Percentile$21.54/hr$3,733$44,800$37,388

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Akron, OH

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,371Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.46.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.1%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Ohio:

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Akron, OH

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Akron, OH?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Akron, OH is $34,800, which equates to approximately $2,900 per month or $16.73 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Akron, OH?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Akron, OH is $16.73 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.54/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Akron, OH?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Akron, OH span from $26,800 at the 10th percentile to $29,100 at the 25th, $38,300 at the 75th, and $44,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Akron, OH?

On a median gross salary of $34,800, an estimated $29,635 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,140 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Ohio in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,165 (an effective rate of 14.8%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Akron, OH?

On the median annual salary of $34,800, gross monthly income is $2,900. After federal, FICA, and Ohio state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,470 per month (or $1,140 every two weeks).

Is $34,800 a good salary in Akron, OH?

At $34,800, the median salary for food preparation workers is 48.1% of the Akron, OH median household income ($72,371). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.4, making regional consumer goods and services 6.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.