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Appleton, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Appleton, WI

In the Appleton, WI metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $33,500 ($16.11/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,600/year and the 90th was $43,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,334 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,500$16.11 per hour · $2,792 monthly
10th Percentile$25,600$12.31/hr base
25th Percentile$28,400$13.65/hr base
75th Percentile$37,300$17.93/hr base
90th Percentile$43,500$20.91/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 WisconsinFederal tax, FICA and Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Wisconsin.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$33,500
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,500
Net 85%
Fed 5%
WI 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,334After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,361Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,090Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,840 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$764 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,563 / yr
Customize deductions in full Wisconsin calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Appleton, WI

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 Appleton, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$12.31/hr$2,133$25,600$22,286
25th Percentile$13.65/hr$2,367$28,400$24,482
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.11/hr$2,792$33,500$28,334
75th Percentile$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$31,200
90th Percentile$20.91/hr$3,625$43,500$35,876

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Appleton, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,825Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.47.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Wisconsin metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Appleton, WI. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Appleton, WI

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Appleton, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Appleton, WI is $33,500, which equates to approximately $2,792 per month or $16.11 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Appleton, WI?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Appleton, WI is $16.11 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.31/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.91/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Appleton, WI?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Appleton, WI span from $25,600 at the 10th percentile to $28,400 at the 25th, $37,300 at the 75th, and $43,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Appleton, WI?

On a median gross salary of $33,500, an estimated $28,334 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,090 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,166 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Appleton, WI?

On the median annual salary of $33,500, gross monthly income is $2,792. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,361 per month (or $1,090 every two weeks).

Is $33,500 a good salary in Appleton, WI?

At $33,500, the median salary for food preparation workers is 39% of the Appleton, WI median household income ($85,825). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.4, making regional consumer goods and services 7.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.