Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 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 $24,200/year and the 90th was $45,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Texas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,374 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,600$15.67 per hour · $2,717 monthly
10th Percentile$24,200$11.63/hr base
25th Percentile$28,800$13.85/hr base
75th Percentile$39,400$18.94/hr base
90th Percentile$45,100$21.68/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 87%
Fed 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,374After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,365Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,091Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,732 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,494 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

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 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (TX)
10th Percentile$11.63/hr$2,017$24,200$21,539
25th Percentile$13.85/hr$2,400$28,800$25,321
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.67/hr$2,717$32,600$28,374
75th Percentile$18.94/hr$3,283$39,400$33,838
90th Percentile$21.68/hr$3,758$45,100$38,418

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

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$90,275Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.13.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio36.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 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 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX is $15.67 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.63/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.68/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX span from $24,200 at the 10th percentile to $28,800 at the 25th, $39,400 at the 75th, and $45,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

On a median gross salary of $32,600, an estimated $28,374 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,091 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Texas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,226 (an effective rate of 13%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

On the median annual salary of $32,600, gross monthly income is $2,717. After federal, FICA, and Texas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,365 per month (or $1,091 every two weeks).

Is $32,600 a good salary in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

At $32,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 36.1% of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX median household income ($90,275). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.1, making regional consumer goods and services 3.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.