Grand Island, NE · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Grand Island, NE

In the Grand Island, NE metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $33,900 ($16.30/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,600/year and the 90th was $40,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Nebraska tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,756 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 86.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,900$16.30 per hour · $2,825 monthly
10th Percentile$27,600$13.27/hr base
25th Percentile$28,700$13.80/hr base
75th Percentile$36,000$17.31/hr base
90th Percentile$40,900$19.66/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

$33,900
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,900
Net 85%
Fed 6%
NE 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,756After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,396Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,106Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,888 / yr
Nebraska state income tax$663 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,593 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Grand Island, NE

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 Grand Island, NE Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NE)
10th Percentile$13.27/hr$2,300$27,600$23,900
25th Percentile$13.80/hr$2,392$28,700$24,763
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.30/hr$2,825$33,900$28,756
75th Percentile$17.31/hr$3,000$36,000$30,348
90th Percentile$19.66/hr$3,408$40,900$34,062

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Grand Island, NE

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$69,704Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index86.713.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Grand Island, NE

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Grand Island, NE?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Grand Island, NE is $33,900, which equates to approximately $2,825 per month or $16.30 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Grand Island, NE?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Grand Island, NE is $16.30 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.27/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.66/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Grand Island, NE?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Grand Island, NE span from $27,600 at the 10th percentile to $28,700 at the 25th, $36,000 at the 75th, and $40,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Grand Island, NE?

On a median gross salary of $33,900, an estimated $28,756 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,106 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Nebraska in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,144 (an effective rate of 15.2%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Grand Island, NE?

On the median annual salary of $33,900, gross monthly income is $2,825. After federal, FICA, and Nebraska state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,396 per month (or $1,106 every two weeks).

Is $33,900 a good salary in Grand Island, NE?

At $33,900, the median salary for food preparation workers is 48.6% of the Grand Island, NE median household income ($69,704). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 86.7, making regional consumer goods and services 13.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.