Fargo, ND-MN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Fargo, ND-MN

In the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $32,100 ($15.43/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,900/year and the 90th was $42,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Minnesota tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,074 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 90.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,100$15.43 per hour · $2,675 monthly
10th Percentile$26,900$12.93/hr base
25th Percentile$28,100$13.51/hr base
75th Percentile$35,200$16.92/hr base
90th Percentile$42,200$20.29/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

$32,100
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$32,100
Net 84%
Fed 5%
MN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,074After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,256Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,041Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,672 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$899 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,456 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Fargo, ND-MN

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 Fargo, ND-MN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MN)
10th Percentile$12.93/hr$2,242$26,900$23,142
25th Percentile$13.51/hr$2,342$28,100$24,066
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.43/hr$2,675$32,100$27,074
75th Percentile$16.92/hr$2,933$35,200$29,399
90th Percentile$20.29/hr$3,517$42,200$34,649

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Fargo, ND-MN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$32,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$76,756Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index90.99.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Fargo, ND-MN

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Fargo, ND-MN?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Fargo, ND-MN is $32,100, which equates to approximately $2,675 per month or $15.43 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Fargo, ND-MN?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Fargo, ND-MN is $15.43 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.93/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.29/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Fargo, ND-MN?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Fargo, ND-MN span from $26,900 at the 10th percentile to $28,100 at the 25th, $35,200 at the 75th, and $42,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Fargo, ND-MN?

On a median gross salary of $32,100, an estimated $27,074 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,041 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Minnesota in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,026 (an effective rate of 15.7%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Fargo, ND-MN?

On the median annual salary of $32,100, gross monthly income is $2,675. After federal, FICA, and Minnesota state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,256 per month (or $1,041 every two weeks).

Is $32,100 a good salary in Fargo, ND-MN?

At $32,100, the median salary for food preparation workers is 41.8% of the Fargo, ND-MN median household income ($76,756). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 90.9, making regional consumer goods and services 9.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.