Omaha, NE-IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Omaha, NE-IA

In the Omaha, NE-IA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,800 ($15.29/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $24,900/year and the 90th was $42,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,175 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,800$15.29 per hour · $2,650 monthly
10th Percentile$24,900$11.97/hr base
25th Percentile$29,600$14.23/hr base
75th Percentile$37,900$18.22/hr base
90th Percentile$42,200$20.29/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

$31,800
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,800
Net 85%
Fed 5%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,175After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,265Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,045Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,636 / yr
Iowa state income tax$557 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,433 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Omaha, NE-IA

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 Omaha, NE-IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$11.97/hr$2,075$24,900$21,821
25th Percentile$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$25,491
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.29/hr$2,650$31,800$27,175
75th Percentile$18.22/hr$3,158$37,900$31,844
90th Percentile$20.29/hr$3,517$42,200$35,136

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Omaha, NE-IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$84,829Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.98.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio37.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Omaha, NE-IA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Omaha, NE-IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Omaha, NE-IA is $31,800, which equates to approximately $2,650 per month or $15.29 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Omaha, NE-IA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Omaha, NE-IA is $15.29 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.97/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.29/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Omaha, NE-IA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Omaha, NE-IA span from $24,900 at the 10th percentile to $29,600 at the 25th, $37,900 at the 75th, and $42,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Omaha, NE-IA?

On a median gross salary of $31,800, an estimated $27,175 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,045 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,625 (an effective rate of 14.5%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Omaha, NE-IA?

On the median annual salary of $31,800, gross monthly income is $2,650. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,265 per month (or $1,045 every two weeks).

Is $31,800 a good salary in Omaha, NE-IA?

At $31,800, the median salary for food preparation workers is 37.5% of the Omaha, NE-IA median household income ($84,829). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.