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Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

In the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,100 ($14.95/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,200/year and the 90th was $43,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Texas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,169 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 98.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,100$14.95 per hour · $2,592 monthly
10th Percentile$23,200$11.15/hr base
25th Percentile$27,500$13.22/hr base
75th Percentile$37,700$18.13/hr base
90th Percentile$43,100$20.72/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 $31,000 a year leaves after tax in TexasFederal tax, FICA and Texas withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$15 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $31,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $31,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Texas publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Texas.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$31,100
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,100
Net 87%
Fed 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,169After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,264Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,045Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,552 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,379 / yr
Customize deductions in full Texas calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (TX)
10th Percentile$11.15/hr$1,933$23,200$20,715
25th Percentile$13.22/hr$2,292$27,500$24,256
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.95/hr$2,592$31,100$27,169
75th Percentile$18.13/hr$3,142$37,700$32,472
90th Percentile$20.72/hr$3,592$43,100$36,811

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$82,168Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index98.61.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio37.8%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Texas metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is $31,100, which equates to approximately $2,592 per month or $14.95 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is $14.95 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.15/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.72/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX span from $23,200 at the 10th percentile to $27,500 at the 25th, $37,700 at the 75th, and $43,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

On a median gross salary of $31,100, an estimated $27,169 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,045 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Texas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,931 (an effective rate of 12.6%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

On the median annual salary of $31,100, gross monthly income is $2,592. After federal, FICA, and Texas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,264 per month (or $1,045 every two weeks).

Is $31,100 a good salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

At $31,100, the median salary for food preparation workers is 37.8% of the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX median household income ($82,168). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 98.6, making regional consumer goods and services 1.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.