Burlington-South Burlington, VT · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Burlington-South Burlington, VT

In the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $37,700 ($18.13/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,800/year and the 90th was $50,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Vermont tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,643 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,700$18.13 per hour · $3,142 monthly
10th Percentile$32,800$15.77/hr base
25th Percentile$36,300$17.45/hr base
75th Percentile$44,200$21.25/hr base
90th Percentile$50,500$24.28/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

$37,700
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,700
Net 84%
Fed 6%
VT 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,643After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,637Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,217Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,344 / yr
Vermont state income tax$829 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,884 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Burlington-South Burlington, VT

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 Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (VT)
10th Percentile$15.77/hr$2,733$32,800$27,870
25th Percentile$17.45/hr$3,025$36,300$30,565
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.13/hr$3,142$37,700$31,643
75th Percentile$21.25/hr$3,683$44,200$36,648
90th Percentile$24.28/hr$4,208$50,500$41,499

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Burlington-South Burlington, VT

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$93,043Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.90.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Burlington-South Burlington, VT

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Burlington-South Burlington, VT is $37,700, which equates to approximately $3,142 per month or $18.13 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Burlington-South Burlington, VT is $18.13 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.77/hour and one in ten earned more than $24.28/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Burlington-South Burlington, VT span from $32,800 at the 10th percentile to $36,300 at the 25th, $44,200 at the 75th, and $50,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?

On a median gross salary of $37,700, an estimated $31,643 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,217 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Vermont in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,057 (an effective rate of 16.1%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?

On the median annual salary of $37,700, gross monthly income is $3,142. After federal, FICA, and Vermont state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,637 per month (or $1,217 every two weeks).

Is $37,700 a good salary in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?

At $37,700, the median salary for food preparation workers is 40.5% of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT median household income ($93,043). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.9, making regional consumer goods and services 0.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.