Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL

In the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $33,800 ($16.25/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,500/year and the 90th was $40,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Florida tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,338 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,800$16.25 per hour · $2,817 monthly
10th Percentile$26,500$12.74/hr base
25th Percentile$28,600$13.75/hr base
75th Percentile$35,200$16.92/hr base
90th Percentile$40,700$19.57/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

$33,800
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,800
Net 87%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,338After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,445Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,128Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,876 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,586 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Panama City-Panama City Beach, 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 Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (FL)
10th Percentile$12.74/hr$2,208$26,500$23,433
25th Percentile$13.75/hr$2,383$28,600$25,160
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.25/hr$2,817$33,800$29,338
75th Percentile$16.92/hr$2,933$35,200$30,463
90th Percentile$19.57/hr$3,392$40,700$34,882

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$71,514Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.32.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio47.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL is $33,800, which equates to approximately $2,817 per month or $16.25 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL is $16.25 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.74/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.57/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL span from $26,500 at the 10th percentile to $28,600 at the 25th, $35,200 at the 75th, and $40,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL?

On a median gross salary of $33,800, an estimated $29,338 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,128 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Florida in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,462 (an effective rate of 13.2%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL?

On the median annual salary of $33,800, gross monthly income is $2,817. After federal, FICA, and Florida state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,445 per month (or $1,128 every two weeks).

Is $33,800 a good salary in Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL?

At $33,800, the median salary for food preparation workers is 47.3% of the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL median household income ($71,514). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.3, making regional consumer goods and services 2.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.