Champaign-Urbana, IL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL

In the Champaign-Urbana, IL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $32,300 ($15.53/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $28,900/year and the 90th was $41,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,679 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,300$15.53 per hour · $2,692 monthly
10th Percentile$28,900$13.89/hr base
25th Percentile$28,900$13.89/hr base
75th Percentile$35,100$16.88/hr base
90th Percentile$41,700$20.05/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

$32,300
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$32,300
Net 83%
Fed 5%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,679After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,223Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,026Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,696 / yr
Illinois state income tax$1,454 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,471 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Champaign-Urbana, 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 Champaign-Urbana, IL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$13.89/hr$2,408$28,900$24,115
25th Percentile$13.89/hr$2,408$28,900$24,115
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.53/hr$2,692$32,300$26,679
75th Percentile$16.88/hr$2,925$35,100$28,790
90th Percentile$20.05/hr$3,475$41,700$33,767

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Champaign-Urbana, IL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$32,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,528Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.77.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio49.3%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 Champaign-Urbana, IL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Champaign-Urbana, IL is $32,300, which equates to approximately $2,692 per month or $15.53 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Champaign-Urbana, IL is $15.53 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.89/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.05/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Champaign-Urbana, IL span from $28,900 at the 10th percentile to $28,900 at the 25th, $35,100 at the 75th, and $41,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

On a median gross salary of $32,300, an estimated $26,679 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,026 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,621 (an effective rate of 17.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

On the median annual salary of $32,300, gross monthly income is $2,692. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,223 per month (or $1,026 every two weeks).

Is $32,300 a good salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL?

At $32,300, the median salary for food preparation workers is 49.3% of the Champaign-Urbana, IL median household income ($65,528). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.7, making regional consumer goods and services 7.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.