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Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

In the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $36,300 ($17.45/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,700/year and the 90th was $47,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Connecticut tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,426 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 102.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,300$17.45 per hour · $3,025 monthly
10th Percentile$33,700$16.20/hr base
25th Percentile$35,000$16.83/hr base
75th Percentile$39,900$19.18/hr base
90th Percentile$47,400$22.79/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 $36,000 a year leaves after tax in ConnecticutFederal tax, FICA and Connecticut withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$17 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $36,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $36,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Connecticut publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Connecticut.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$36,300
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,300
Net 84%
Fed 6%
CT 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,426After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,535Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,170Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,176 / yr
Connecticut state income tax$921 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,777 / yr
Customize deductions in full Connecticut calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

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 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CT)
10th Percentile$16.20/hr$2,808$33,700$28,564
25th Percentile$16.83/hr$2,917$35,000$29,515
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.45/hr$3,025$36,300$30,426
75th Percentile$19.18/hr$3,325$39,900$33,051
90th Percentile$22.79/hr$3,950$47,400$38,571

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$95,118Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index102.72.7% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.2%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Connecticut metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT is $36,300, which equates to approximately $3,025 per month or $17.45 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT is $17.45 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.20/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.79/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT span from $33,700 at the 10th percentile to $35,000 at the 25th, $39,900 at the 75th, and $47,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT?

On a median gross salary of $36,300, an estimated $30,426 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,170 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Connecticut in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,874 (an effective rate of 16.2%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT?

On the median annual salary of $36,300, gross monthly income is $3,025. After federal, FICA, and Connecticut state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,535 per month (or $1,170 every two weeks).

Is $36,300 a good salary in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT?

At $36,300, the median salary for food preparation workers is 38.2% of the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT median household income ($95,118). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 102.7, making regional consumer goods and services 2.7% more expensive than the U.S. average.