Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$36,900$17.74 per hour · $3,075 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (MA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $15.63/hr | $2,708 | $32,500 | $26,989 |
| 25th Percentile | $16.44/hr | $2,850 | $34,200 | $28,270 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.74/hr | $3,075 | $36,900 | $30,304 |
| 75th Percentile | $20.34/hr | $3,525 | $42,300 | $34,373 |
| 90th Percentile | $22.07/hr | $3,825 | $45,900 | $37,086 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,900 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Massachusetts:
Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA is $36,900, which equates to approximately $3,075 per month or $17.74 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA is $17.74 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.63/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.07/hour.
What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA span from $32,500 at the 10th percentile to $34,200 at the 25th, $42,300 at the 75th, and $45,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
On a median gross salary of $36,900, an estimated $30,304 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,166 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Massachusetts in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,596 (an effective rate of 17.9%).
How much do food preparation workers make per month in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
On the median annual salary of $36,900, gross monthly income is $3,075. After federal, FICA, and Massachusetts state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,525 per month (or $1,166 every two weeks).
Is $36,900 a good salary in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
At $36,900, the median salary for food preparation workers is 42.4% of the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA median household income ($87,001). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.2, making regional consumer goods and services 0.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.