Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

In the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,200 ($15.00/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,600/year and the 90th was $40,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,291 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 98.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,200$15.00 per hour · $2,600 monthly
10th Percentile$22,600$10.87/hr base
25th Percentile$28,100$13.51/hr base
75th Percentile$36,500$17.55/hr base
90th Percentile$40,000$19.23/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

$31,200
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,200
Net 84%
Fed 5%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,291After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,191Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,011Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,564 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$958 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,387 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$10.87/hr$1,883$22,600$19,527
25th Percentile$13.51/hr$2,342$28,100$23,888
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.00/hr$2,600$31,200$26,291
75th Percentile$17.55/hr$3,042$36,500$30,387
90th Percentile$19.23/hr$3,333$40,000$33,092

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$80,919Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index98.71.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is $31,200, which equates to approximately $2,600 per month or $15.00 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is $15.00 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.87/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.23/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA span from $22,600 at the 10th percentile to $28,100 at the 25th, $36,500 at the 75th, and $40,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

On a median gross salary of $31,200, an estimated $26,291 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,011 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,909 (an effective rate of 15.7%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

On the median annual salary of $31,200, gross monthly income is $2,600. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,191 per month (or $1,011 every two weeks).

Is $31,200 a good salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

At $31,200, the median salary for food preparation workers is 38.6% of the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA median household income ($80,919). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 98.7, making regional consumer goods and services 1.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.