Lebanon, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Lebanon, PA

In the Lebanon, PA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $29,500 ($14.18/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,400/year and the 90th was $37,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,978 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,500$14.18 per hour · $2,458 monthly
10th Percentile$21,400$10.29/hr base
25th Percentile$26,600$12.79/hr base
75th Percentile$34,500$16.59/hr base
90th Percentile$37,800$18.17/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

$29,500
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,500
Net 85%
Fed 5%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,978After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,081Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$961Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,360 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$906 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,257 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Lebanon, PA

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 Lebanon, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$10.29/hr$1,783$21,400$18,576
25th Percentile$12.79/hr$2,217$26,600$22,698
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.18/hr$2,458$29,500$24,978
75th Percentile$16.59/hr$2,875$34,500$28,842
90th Percentile$18.17/hr$3,150$37,800$31,392

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lebanon, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$78,425Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.26.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio37.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Lebanon, PA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Lebanon, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Lebanon, PA is $29,500, which equates to approximately $2,458 per month or $14.18 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Lebanon, PA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Lebanon, PA is $14.18 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.29/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.17/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Lebanon, PA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Lebanon, PA span from $21,400 at the 10th percentile to $26,600 at the 25th, $34,500 at the 75th, and $37,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Lebanon, PA?

On a median gross salary of $29,500, an estimated $24,978 lands in net take-home pay per year ($961 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,522 (an effective rate of 15.3%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Lebanon, PA?

On the median annual salary of $29,500, gross monthly income is $2,458. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,081 per month (or $961 every two weeks).

Is $29,500 a good salary in Lebanon, PA?

At $29,500, the median salary for food preparation workers is 37.6% of the Lebanon, PA median household income ($78,425). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.2, making regional consumer goods and services 6.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.