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Decatur, IL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Decatur, IL

In the Decatur, IL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $30,800 ($14.81/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,600/year and the 90th was $39,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,548 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,800$14.81 per hour · $2,567 monthly
10th Percentile$27,600$13.27/hr base
25th Percentile$27,600$13.27/hr base
75th Percentile$33,500$16.11/hr base
90th Percentile$39,800$19.13/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 payWhat $31,000 a year leaves after tax in IllinoisFederal tax, FICA and Illinois withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$15 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $31,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $31,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Illinois publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Illinois.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$30,800
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,800
Net 83%
Fed 5%
IL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,548After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,129Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$983Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,516 / yr
Illinois state income tax$1,380 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,356 / yr
Customize deductions in full Illinois calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Decatur, 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 Decatur, IL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$13.27/hr$2,300$27,600$23,117
25th Percentile$13.27/hr$2,300$27,600$23,117
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.81/hr$2,567$30,800$25,548
75th Percentile$16.11/hr$2,792$33,500$27,584
90th Percentile$19.13/hr$3,317$39,800$32,334

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Decatur, IL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,666Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.411.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio49.1%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Illinois metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Decatur, IL. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Decatur, IL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Decatur, IL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Decatur, IL is $30,800, which equates to approximately $2,567 per month or $14.81 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Decatur, IL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Decatur, IL is $14.81 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.27/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.13/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Decatur, IL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Decatur, IL span from $27,600 at the 10th percentile to $27,600 at the 25th, $33,500 at the 75th, and $39,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Decatur, IL?

On a median gross salary of $30,800, an estimated $25,548 lands in net take-home pay per year ($983 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,252 (an effective rate of 17.1%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Decatur, IL?

On the median annual salary of $30,800, gross monthly income is $2,567. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,129 per month (or $983 every two weeks).

Is $30,800 a good salary in Decatur, IL?

At $30,800, the median salary for food preparation workers is 49.1% of the Decatur, IL median household income ($62,666). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.4, making regional consumer goods and services 11.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.