Lansing-East Lansing, MI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI

In the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $30,800 ($14.81/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 $25,870 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,800$14.81 per hour · $2,567 monthly
10th Percentile$26,200$12.60/hr base
25th Percentile$27,300$13.13/hr base
75th Percentile$35,500$17.07/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

$30,800
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,800
Net 84%
Fed 5%
MI 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,870After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,156Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$995Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,516 / yr
Michigan state income tax$1,058 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,356 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Lansing-East Lansing, 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 Lansing-East Lansing, 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$14.81/hr$2,567$30,800$25,870
75th Percentile$17.07/hr$2,958$35,500$29,446
90th Percentile$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$31,425

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lansing-East Lansing, MI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,550Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.05% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.5%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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Lansing-East Lansing, MI is $30,800, which equates to approximately $2,567 per month or $14.81 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Lansing-East Lansing, MI is $14.81 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Lansing-East Lansing, MI span from $26,200 at the 10th percentile to $27,300 at the 25th, $35,500 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

On a median gross salary of $30,800, an estimated $25,870 lands in net take-home pay per year ($995 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Michigan in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,930 (an effective rate of 16%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

On the median annual salary of $30,800, gross monthly income is $2,567. After federal, FICA, and Michigan state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,156 per month (or $995 every two weeks).

Is $30,800 a good salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?

At $30,800, the median salary for food preparation workers is 42.5% of the Lansing-East Lansing, MI median household income ($72,550). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.0, making regional consumer goods and services 5% cheaper than the U.S. average.