Jacksonville, FL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Jacksonville, FL

In the Jacksonville, FL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $34,600 ($16.63/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,100/year and the 90th was $41,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Florida tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,981 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 99.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,600$16.63 per hour · $2,883 monthly
10th Percentile$27,100$13.03/hr base
25th Percentile$29,300$14.09/hr base
75th Percentile$36,000$17.31/hr base
90th Percentile$41,700$20.05/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

$34,600
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,600
Net 87%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,981After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,498Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,153Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,972 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,647 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Jacksonville, FL

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 Jacksonville, FL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (FL)
10th Percentile$13.03/hr$2,258$27,100$23,927
25th Percentile$14.09/hr$2,442$29,300$25,723
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.63/hr$2,883$34,600$29,981
75th Percentile$17.31/hr$3,000$36,000$31,106
90th Percentile$20.05/hr$3,475$41,700$35,686

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Jacksonville, FL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$79,643Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index99.50.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.4%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Jacksonville, FL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Jacksonville, FL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Jacksonville, FL is $34,600, which equates to approximately $2,883 per month or $16.63 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Jacksonville, FL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Jacksonville, FL is $16.63 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.03/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.05/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Jacksonville, FL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Jacksonville, FL span from $27,100 at the 10th percentile to $29,300 at the 25th, $36,000 at the 75th, and $41,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Jacksonville, FL?

On a median gross salary of $34,600, an estimated $29,981 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,153 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Florida in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,619 (an effective rate of 13.3%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Jacksonville, FL?

On the median annual salary of $34,600, gross monthly income is $2,883. After federal, FICA, and Florida state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,498 per month (or $1,153 every two weeks).

Is $34,600 a good salary in Jacksonville, FL?

At $34,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 43.4% of the Jacksonville, FL median household income ($79,643). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 99.5, making regional consumer goods and services 0.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.