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Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL

In the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $34,700 ($16.68/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,300/year and the 90th was $41,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Florida tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,061 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,700$16.68 per hour · $2,892 monthly
10th Percentile$27,300$13.13/hr base
25th Percentile$29,400$14.13/hr base
75th Percentile$36,200$17.40/hr base
90th Percentile$41,900$20.14/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 $35,000 a year leaves after tax in FloridaFederal tax, FICA and Florida withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$17 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $35,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $35,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Florida publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Florida.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$34,700
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,700
Net 87%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,061After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,505Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,156Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,984 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,655 / yr
Customize deductions in full Florida calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL

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 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (FL)
10th Percentile$13.13/hr$2,275$27,300$24,092
25th Percentile$14.13/hr$2,450$29,400$25,803
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.68/hr$2,892$34,700$30,061
75th Percentile$17.40/hr$3,017$36,200$31,267
90th Percentile$20.14/hr$3,492$41,900$35,847

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$78,476Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.0Exact national baseline
Individual vs Household Ratio44.2%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Florida metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL is $34,700, which equates to approximately $2,892 per month or $16.68 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL is $16.68 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.13/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.14/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL span from $27,300 at the 10th percentile to $29,400 at the 25th, $36,200 at the 75th, and $41,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL?

On a median gross salary of $34,700, an estimated $30,061 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,156 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Florida in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,639 (an effective rate of 13.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL?

On the median annual salary of $34,700, gross monthly income is $2,892. After federal, FICA, and Florida state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,505 per month (or $1,156 every two weeks).

Is $34,700 a good salary in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL?

At $34,700, the median salary for food preparation workers is 44.2% of the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL median household income ($78,476). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.0, making regional consumer goods and services 0% more expensive than the U.S. average.