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Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

In the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $32,700 ($15.72/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,600/year and the 90th was $42,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Jersey tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,970 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,700$15.72 per hour · $2,725 monthly
10th Percentile$29,600$14.23/hr base
25th Percentile$30,800$14.81/hr base
75th Percentile$35,300$16.97/hr base
90th Percentile$42,300$20.34/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 payWhat $33,000 a year leaves after tax in New JerseyFederal tax, FICA and New Jersey withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$16 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $33,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $33,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation New Jersey publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about New Jersey.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$32,700
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$32,700
Net 86%
Fed 5%
NJ 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,970After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,331Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,076Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,744 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$485 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,502 / yr
Customize deductions in full New Jersey calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NJ)
10th Percentile$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$25,533
25th Percentile$14.81/hr$2,567$30,800$26,476
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.72/hr$2,725$32,700$27,970
75th Percentile$16.97/hr$2,942$35,300$30,013
90th Percentile$20.34/hr$3,525$42,300$35,379

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$32,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$84,587Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.0Exact national baseline
Individual vs Household Ratio38.7%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other New Jersey metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is $32,700, which equates to approximately $2,725 per month or $15.72 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is $15.72 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.23/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.34/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ span from $29,600 at the 10th percentile to $30,800 at the 25th, $35,300 at the 75th, and $42,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

On a median gross salary of $32,700, an estimated $27,970 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,076 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,730 (an effective rate of 14.5%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

On the median annual salary of $32,700, gross monthly income is $2,725. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,331 per month (or $1,076 every two weeks).

Is $32,700 a good salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

At $32,700, the median salary for food preparation workers is 38.7% of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ median household income ($84,587). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.0, making regional consumer goods and services 0% more expensive than the U.S. average.