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Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

In the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $36,900 ($17.74/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,100/year and the 90th was $44,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Delaware tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,458 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 102.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,900$17.74 per hour · $3,075 monthly
10th Percentile$32,100$15.43/hr base
25th Percentile$32,700$15.72/hr base
75th Percentile$39,200$18.85/hr base
90th Percentile$44,300$21.30/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 $37,000 a year leaves after tax in DelawareFederal tax, FICA and Delaware withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $37,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $37,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Delaware publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Delaware.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$36,900
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,900
Net 83%
Fed 6%
DE 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,458After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,538Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,171Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,248 / yr
Delaware state income tax$1,371 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,823 / yr
Customize deductions in full Delaware calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DE)
10th Percentile$15.43/hr$2,675$32,100$26,868
25th Percentile$15.72/hr$2,725$32,700$27,316
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.74/hr$3,075$36,900$30,458
75th Percentile$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$32,178
90th Percentile$21.30/hr$3,692$44,300$35,993

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$91,289Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index102.62.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.4%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Delaware metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $36,900, which equates to approximately $3,075 per month or $17.74 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $17.74 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.43/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.30/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD span from $32,100 at the 10th percentile to $32,700 at the 25th, $39,200 at the 75th, and $44,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

On a median gross salary of $36,900, an estimated $30,458 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,171 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Delaware in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,442 (an effective rate of 17.5%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

On the median annual salary of $36,900, gross monthly income is $3,075. After federal, FICA, and Delaware state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,538 per month (or $1,171 every two weeks).

Is $36,900 a good salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

At $36,900, the median salary for food preparation workers is 40.4% of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD median household income ($91,289). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 102.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.