Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$40,400$19.42 per hour · $3,367 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $17.36/hr | $3,008 | $36,100 | $30,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $18.27/hr | $3,167 | $38,000 | $32,210 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $19.42/hr | $3,367 | $40,400 | $34,043 |
| 75th Percentile | $21.97/hr | $3,808 | $45,700 | $38,089 |
| 90th Percentile | $23.89/hr | $4,142 | $49,700 | $41,092 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$40,400 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $40,400, which equates to approximately $3,367 per month or $19.42 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $19.42 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.36/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.89/hour.
What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA span from $36,100 at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 25th, $45,700 at the 75th, and $49,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
On a median gross salary of $40,400, an estimated $34,043 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,309 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,357 (an effective rate of 15.7%).
How much do food preparation workers make per month in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
On the median annual salary of $40,400, gross monthly income is $3,367. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,837 per month (or $1,309 every two weeks).
Is $40,400 a good salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
At $40,400, the median salary for food preparation workers is 42.1% of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA median household income ($95,958). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 113.6, making regional consumer goods and services 13.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.