Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

In the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,600 ($15.19/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,600/year and the 90th was $41,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,461 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,600$15.19 per hour · $2,633 monthly
10th Percentile$29,600$14.23/hr base
25th Percentile$30,500$14.66/hr base
75th Percentile$35,700$17.16/hr base
90th Percentile$41,600$20.00/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

$31,600
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,600
Net 84%
Fed 5%
NY 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,461After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,205Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,018Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,612 / yr
New York state income tax$1,110 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,417 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$24,962
25th Percentile$14.66/hr$2,542$30,500$25,636
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.19/hr$2,633$31,600$26,461
75th Percentile$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$29,534
90th Percentile$20.00/hr$3,467$41,600$33,956

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,237Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.84.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.7%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $31,600, which equates to approximately $2,633 per month or $15.19 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $15.19 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.23/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.00/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY span from $29,600 at the 10th percentile to $30,500 at the 25th, $35,700 at the 75th, and $41,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On a median gross salary of $31,600, an estimated $26,461 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,018 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,139 (an effective rate of 16.3%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On the median annual salary of $31,600, gross monthly income is $2,633. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,205 per month (or $1,018 every two weeks).

Is $31,600 a good salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

At $31,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 43.7% of the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY median household income ($72,237). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.8, making regional consumer goods and services 4.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.