Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

In the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $26,300 ($12.64/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $20,500/year and the 90th was $37,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kentucky tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $22,465 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$26,300$12.64 per hour · $2,192 monthly
10th Percentile$20,500$9.86/hr base
25th Percentile$22,400$10.77/hr base
75th Percentile$33,200$15.96/hr base
90th Percentile$37,100$17.84/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

$26,300
$15,000$55,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$26,300
Net 85%
Fed 4%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$22,465After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,872Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$864Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,020 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$803 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,012 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

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 Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KY)
10th Percentile$9.86/hr$1,708$20,500$18,012
25th Percentile$10.77/hr$1,867$22,400$19,390
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$12.64/hr$2,192$26,300$22,465
75th Percentile$15.96/hr$2,767$33,200$27,812
90th Percentile$17.84/hr$3,092$37,100$30,809

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$26,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$60,078Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.411.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH is $26,300, which equates to approximately $2,192 per month or $12.64 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH is $12.64 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $9.86/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.84/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH span from $20,500 at the 10th percentile to $22,400 at the 25th, $33,200 at the 75th, and $37,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

On a median gross salary of $26,300, an estimated $22,465 lands in net take-home pay per year ($864 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kentucky in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,835 (an effective rate of 14.6%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

On the median annual salary of $26,300, gross monthly income is $2,192. After federal, FICA, and Kentucky state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,872 per month (or $864 every two weeks).

Is $26,300 a good salary in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

At $26,300, the median salary for food preparation workers is 43.8% of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH median household income ($60,078). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.4, making regional consumer goods and services 11.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.