Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL

In the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $33,700 ($16.20/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,500/year and the 90th was $40,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Florida tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,258 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,700$16.20 per hour · $2,808 monthly
10th Percentile$26,500$12.74/hr base
25th Percentile$28,500$13.70/hr base
75th Percentile$35,100$16.88/hr base
90th Percentile$40,600$19.52/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

$33,700
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,700
Net 87%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,258After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,438Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,125Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,864 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,578 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL

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 Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (FL)
10th Percentile$12.74/hr$2,208$26,500$23,433
25th Percentile$13.70/hr$2,375$28,500$25,080
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.20/hr$2,808$33,700$29,258
75th Percentile$16.88/hr$2,925$35,100$30,383
90th Percentile$19.52/hr$3,383$40,600$34,802

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,993Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.03% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is $33,700, which equates to approximately $2,808 per month or $16.20 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is $16.20 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.74/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.52/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL span from $26,500 at the 10th percentile to $28,500 at the 25th, $35,100 at the 75th, and $40,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

On a median gross salary of $33,700, an estimated $29,258 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,125 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Florida in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,442 (an effective rate of 13.2%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

On the median annual salary of $33,700, gross monthly income is $2,808. After federal, FICA, and Florida state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,438 per month (or $1,125 every two weeks).

Is $33,700 a good salary in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

At $33,700, the median salary for food preparation workers is 41.1% of the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL median household income ($81,993). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.0, making regional consumer goods and services 3% cheaper than the U.S. average.