Killeen-Temple, TX · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Killeen-Temple, TX

In the Killeen-Temple, TX metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $28,800 ($13.85/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,400/year and the 90th was $39,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Texas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,321 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$28,800$13.85 per hour · $2,400 monthly
10th Percentile$21,400$10.29/hr base
25th Percentile$25,500$12.26/hr base
75th Percentile$34,800$16.73/hr base
90th Percentile$39,900$19.18/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

$28,800
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$28,800
Net 88%
Fed 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,321After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,110Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$974Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,276 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,203 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Killeen-Temple, 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 Killeen-Temple, TX Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (TX)
10th Percentile$10.29/hr$1,783$21,400$19,233
25th Percentile$12.26/hr$2,125$25,500$22,609
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.85/hr$2,400$28,800$25,321
75th Percentile$16.73/hr$2,900$34,800$30,142
90th Percentile$19.18/hr$3,325$39,900$34,240

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Killeen-Temple, TX

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$28,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$69,923Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.18.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Killeen-Temple, TX

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Killeen-Temple, TX?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Killeen-Temple, TX is $28,800, which equates to approximately $2,400 per month or $13.85 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Killeen-Temple, TX?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Killeen-Temple, TX is $13.85 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.29/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.18/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Killeen-Temple, TX?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Killeen-Temple, TX span from $21,400 at the 10th percentile to $25,500 at the 25th, $34,800 at the 75th, and $39,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Killeen-Temple, TX?

On a median gross salary of $28,800, an estimated $25,321 lands in net take-home pay per year ($974 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Texas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,479 (an effective rate of 12.1%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Killeen-Temple, TX?

On the median annual salary of $28,800, gross monthly income is $2,400. After federal, FICA, and Texas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,110 per month (or $974 every two weeks).

Is $28,800 a good salary in Killeen-Temple, TX?

At $28,800, the median salary for food preparation workers is 41.2% of the Killeen-Temple, TX median household income ($69,923). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.1, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.