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Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

In the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $29,600 ($14.23/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,100/year and the 90th was $38,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,120 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,600$14.23 per hour · $2,467 monthly
10th Percentile$23,100$11.11/hr base
25th Percentile$27,500$13.22/hr base
75th Percentile$35,800$17.21/hr base
90th Percentile$38,900$18.70/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 payWhat $30,000 a year leaves after tax in IndianaFederal tax, FICA and Indiana withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$14 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $30,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $30,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Indiana publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Indiana.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$29,600
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,600
Net 85%
Fed 5%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,120After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,093Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$966Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,372 / yr
Indiana state income tax$844 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,264 / yr
Customize deductions in full Indiana calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$11.11/hr$1,925$23,100$19,981
25th Percentile$13.22/hr$2,292$27,500$23,475
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$25,120
75th Percentile$17.21/hr$2,983$35,800$29,919
90th Percentile$18.70/hr$3,242$38,900$32,318

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$73,863Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.16.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.1%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Indiana metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is $29,600, which equates to approximately $2,467 per month or $14.23 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is $14.23 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.11/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.70/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN span from $23,100 at the 10th percentile to $27,500 at the 25th, $35,800 at the 75th, and $38,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

On a median gross salary of $29,600, an estimated $25,120 lands in net take-home pay per year ($966 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,480 (an effective rate of 15.1%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

On the median annual salary of $29,600, gross monthly income is $2,467. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,093 per month (or $966 every two weeks).

Is $29,600 a good salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?

At $29,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 40.1% of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN median household income ($73,863). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.1, making regional consumer goods and services 6.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.