Eau Claire, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Eau Claire, WI

In the Eau Claire, WI metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $33,600 ($16.15/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,700/year and the 90th was $43,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,409 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,600$16.15 per hour · $2,800 monthly
10th Percentile$25,700$12.36/hr base
25th Percentile$28,500$13.70/hr base
75th Percentile$37,400$17.98/hr base
90th Percentile$43,700$21.01/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

$33,600
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,600
Net 85%
Fed 6%
WI 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,409After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,367Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,093Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,852 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$769 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,570 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Eau Claire, WI

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 Eau Claire, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$12.36/hr$2,142$25,700$22,364
25th Percentile$13.70/hr$2,375$28,500$24,560
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.15/hr$2,800$33,600$28,409
75th Percentile$17.98/hr$3,117$37,400$31,275
90th Percentile$21.01/hr$3,642$43,700$36,027

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Eau Claire, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$74,595Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.87.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio45%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Eau Claire, WI

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Eau Claire, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Eau Claire, WI is $33,600, which equates to approximately $2,800 per month or $16.15 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Eau Claire, WI?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Eau Claire, WI is $16.15 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.36/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.01/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Eau Claire, WI?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Eau Claire, WI span from $25,700 at the 10th percentile to $28,500 at the 25th, $37,400 at the 75th, and $43,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Eau Claire, WI?

On a median gross salary of $33,600, an estimated $28,409 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,093 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,191 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Eau Claire, WI?

On the median annual salary of $33,600, gross monthly income is $2,800. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,367 per month (or $1,093 every two weeks).

Is $33,600 a good salary in Eau Claire, WI?

At $33,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 45% of the Eau Claire, WI median household income ($74,595). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.8, making regional consumer goods and services 7.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.