Monroe, LA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Monroe, LA

In the Monroe, LA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $22,400 ($10.77/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $17,000/year and the 90th was $32,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Louisiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $19,771 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 83.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$22,400$10.77 per hour · $1,867 monthly
10th Percentile$17,000$8.17/hr base
25th Percentile$20,400$9.81/hr base
75th Percentile$27,200$13.08/hr base
90th Percentile$32,400$15.58/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

$22,400
$15,000$45,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$22,400
Net 88%
Fed 3%
LA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$19,771After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,648Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$760Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate11.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$630 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$286 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,714 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Monroe, LA

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 Monroe, LA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (LA)
10th Percentile$8.17/hr$1,417$17,000$15,486
25th Percentile$9.81/hr$1,700$20,400$18,184
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$10.77/hr$1,867$22,400$19,771
75th Percentile$13.08/hr$2,267$27,200$23,579
90th Percentile$15.58/hr$2,700$32,400$27,628

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Monroe, LA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$22,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$51,660Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index83.616.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.4%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Monroe, LA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Monroe, LA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Monroe, LA is $22,400, which equates to approximately $1,867 per month or $10.77 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Monroe, LA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Monroe, LA is $10.77 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.17/hour and one in ten earned more than $15.58/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Monroe, LA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Monroe, LA span from $17,000 at the 10th percentile to $20,400 at the 25th, $27,200 at the 75th, and $32,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Monroe, LA?

On a median gross salary of $22,400, an estimated $19,771 lands in net take-home pay per year ($760 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Louisiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $2,629 (an effective rate of 11.7%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Monroe, LA?

On the median annual salary of $22,400, gross monthly income is $1,867. After federal, FICA, and Louisiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,648 per month (or $760 every two weeks).

Is $22,400 a good salary in Monroe, LA?

At $22,400, the median salary for food preparation workers is 43.4% of the Monroe, LA median household income ($51,660). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 83.6, making regional consumer goods and services 16.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.