EN

Language

Search
CostAnswer

Explore

Language

MethodologyAbout

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

In the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $35,300 ($16.97/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,100/year and the 90th was $45,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Maryland tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,230 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 104.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,300$16.97 per hour · $2,942 monthly
10th Percentile$31,100$14.95/hr base
25th Percentile$32,900$15.82/hr base
75th Percentile$38,300$18.41/hr base
90th Percentile$45,700$21.97/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 $35,000 a year leaves after tax in MarylandFederal tax, FICA and Maryland withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$17 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $35,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $35,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Maryland publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Maryland.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$35,300
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,300
Net 83%
Fed 6%
MD 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,230After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,436Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,124Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,056 / yr
Maryland state income tax$1,313 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,700 / yr
Customize deductions in full Maryland calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MD)
10th Percentile$14.95/hr$2,592$31,100$26,055
25th Percentile$15.82/hr$2,742$32,900$27,416
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.97/hr$2,942$35,300$29,230
75th Percentile$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$31,498
90th Percentile$21.97/hr$3,808$45,700$37,093

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$99,470Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index104.54.5% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio35.5%of area median income

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

Compare markets

Food Preparation Workers pay in other Maryland metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $35,300, which equates to approximately $2,942 per month or $16.97 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $16.97 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.95/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.97/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD span from $31,100 at the 10th percentile to $32,900 at the 25th, $38,300 at the 75th, and $45,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

On a median gross salary of $35,300, an estimated $29,230 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,124 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Maryland in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,070 (an effective rate of 17.2%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

On the median annual salary of $35,300, gross monthly income is $2,942. After federal, FICA, and Maryland state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,436 per month (or $1,124 every two weeks).

Is $35,300 a good salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

At $35,300, the median salary for food preparation workers is 35.5% of the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD median household income ($99,470). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 104.5, making regional consumer goods and services 4.5% more expensive than the U.S. average.