Bloomington, IL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Bloomington, IL

In the Bloomington, IL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $32,600 ($15.67/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,200/year and the 90th was $42,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,905 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,600$15.67 per hour · $2,717 monthly
10th Percentile$29,200$14.04/hr base
25th Percentile$29,200$14.04/hr base
75th Percentile$35,400$17.02/hr base
90th Percentile$42,100$20.24/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

$32,600
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$32,600
Net 83%
Fed 5%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,905After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,242Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,035Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,732 / yr
Illinois state income tax$1,469 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,494 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Bloomington, IL

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 Bloomington, IL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$14.04/hr$2,433$29,200$24,342
25th Percentile$14.04/hr$2,433$29,200$24,342
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.67/hr$2,717$32,600$26,905
75th Percentile$17.02/hr$2,950$35,400$29,016
90th Percentile$20.24/hr$3,508$42,100$34,068

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Bloomington, IL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$32,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$79,905Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.56.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Bloomington, IL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Bloomington, IL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Bloomington, IL is $32,600, which equates to approximately $2,717 per month or $15.67 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Bloomington, IL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Bloomington, IL is $15.67 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.04/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.24/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Bloomington, IL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Bloomington, IL span from $29,200 at the 10th percentile to $29,200 at the 25th, $35,400 at the 75th, and $42,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Bloomington, IL?

On a median gross salary of $32,600, an estimated $26,905 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,035 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,695 (an effective rate of 17.5%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Bloomington, IL?

On the median annual salary of $32,600, gross monthly income is $2,717. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,242 per month (or $1,035 every two weeks).

Is $32,600 a good salary in Bloomington, IL?

At $32,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 40.8% of the Bloomington, IL median household income ($79,905). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.5, making regional consumer goods and services 6.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.