Memphis, TN-MS-AR · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

In the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $29,300 ($14.09/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,500/year and the 90th was $38,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arkansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,125 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,300$14.09 per hour · $2,442 monthly
10th Percentile$25,500$12.26/hr base
25th Percentile$27,500$13.22/hr base
75th Percentile$34,300$16.49/hr base
90th Percentile$38,400$18.46/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

$29,300
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,300
Net 86%
Fed 5%
AR 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,125After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,094Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$966Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,336 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$597 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,241 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AR)
10th Percentile$12.26/hr$2,125$25,500$22,143
25th Percentile$13.22/hr$2,292$27,500$23,722
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.09/hr$2,442$29,300$25,125
75th Percentile$16.49/hr$2,858$34,300$28,948
90th Percentile$18.46/hr$3,200$38,400$32,082

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,401Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.27.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio44.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $29,300, which equates to approximately $2,442 per month or $14.09 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $14.09 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.26/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.46/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR span from $25,500 at the 10th percentile to $27,500 at the 25th, $34,300 at the 75th, and $38,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

On a median gross salary of $29,300, an estimated $25,125 lands in net take-home pay per year ($966 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arkansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,175 (an effective rate of 14.2%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

On the median annual salary of $29,300, gross monthly income is $2,442. After federal, FICA, and Arkansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,094 per month (or $966 every two weeks).

Is $29,300 a good salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

At $29,300, the median salary for food preparation workers is 44.1% of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR median household income ($66,401). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.2, making regional consumer goods and services 7.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.