Kalamazoo-Portage, MI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

In the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $30,700 ($14.76/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,200/year and the 90th was $38,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Michigan tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,793 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 94.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,700$14.76 per hour · $2,558 monthly
10th Percentile$26,200$12.60/hr base
25th Percentile$27,300$13.13/hr base
75th Percentile$35,400$17.02/hr base
90th Percentile$38,100$18.32/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

$30,700
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,700
Net 84%
Fed 5%
MI 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,793After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,149Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$992Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,504 / yr
Michigan state income tax$1,054 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,349 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MI)
10th Percentile$12.60/hr$2,183$26,200$22,323
25th Percentile$13.13/hr$2,275$27,300$23,182
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.76/hr$2,558$30,700$25,793
75th Percentile$17.02/hr$2,950$35,400$29,370
90th Percentile$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$31,425

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,532Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index94.85.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is $30,700, which equates to approximately $2,558 per month or $14.76 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is $14.76 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.60/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.32/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI span from $26,200 at the 10th percentile to $27,300 at the 25th, $35,400 at the 75th, and $38,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

On a median gross salary of $30,700, an estimated $25,793 lands in net take-home pay per year ($992 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Michigan in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,907 (an effective rate of 16%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

On the median annual salary of $30,700, gross monthly income is $2,558. After federal, FICA, and Michigan state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,149 per month (or $992 every two weeks).

Is $30,700 a good salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

At $30,700, the median salary for food preparation workers is 42.3% of the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI median household income ($72,532). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 94.8, making regional consumer goods and services 5.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.