Michigan City-La Porte, IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Michigan City-La Porte, IN

In the Michigan City-La Porte, IN metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $29,200 ($14.04/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,800/year and the 90th was $38,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,810 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,200$14.04 per hour · $2,433 monthly
10th Percentile$22,800$10.96/hr base
25th Percentile$27,100$13.03/hr base
75th Percentile$35,300$16.97/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

$29,200
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,200
Net 85%
Fed 5%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,810After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,068Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$954Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,324 / yr
Indiana state income tax$832 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,234 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Michigan City-La Porte, 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 Michigan City-La Porte, IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$10.96/hr$1,900$22,800$19,743
25th Percentile$13.03/hr$2,258$27,100$23,157
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.04/hr$2,433$29,200$24,810
75th Percentile$16.97/hr$2,942$35,300$29,532
90th Percentile$18.46/hr$3,200$38,400$31,931

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Michigan City-La Porte, IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$71,055Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.78.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Michigan City-La Porte, IN

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Michigan City-La Porte, IN is $29,200, which equates to approximately $2,433 per month or $14.04 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Michigan City-La Porte, IN is $14.04 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.96/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.46/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Michigan City-La Porte, IN span from $22,800 at the 10th percentile to $27,100 at the 25th, $35,300 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 Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

On a median gross salary of $29,200, an estimated $24,810 lands in net take-home pay per year ($954 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,390 (an effective rate of 15%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

On the median annual salary of $29,200, gross monthly income is $2,433. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,068 per month (or $954 every two weeks).

Is $29,200 a good salary in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?

At $29,200, the median salary for food preparation workers is 41.1% of the Michigan City-La Porte, IN median household income ($71,055). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.7, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.