Pittsburgh, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Pittsburgh, PA

In the Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $29,900 ($14.38/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,700/year and the 90th was $38,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,287 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 94.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,900$14.38 per hour · $2,492 monthly
10th Percentile$21,700$10.43/hr base
25th Percentile$27,000$12.98/hr base
75th Percentile$35,000$16.83/hr base
90th Percentile$38,400$18.46/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

$29,900
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,900
Net 85%
Fed 5%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,287After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,107Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$973Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,408 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$918 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,287 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$10.43/hr$1,808$21,700$18,814
25th Percentile$12.98/hr$2,250$27,000$23,016
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.38/hr$2,492$29,900$25,287
75th Percentile$16.83/hr$2,917$35,000$29,228
90th Percentile$18.46/hr$3,200$38,400$31,856

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Pittsburgh, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$75,762Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index94.75.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Pittsburgh, PA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Pittsburgh, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Pittsburgh, PA is $29,900, which equates to approximately $2,492 per month or $14.38 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Pittsburgh, PA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Pittsburgh, PA is $14.38 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.43/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.46/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Pittsburgh, PA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Pittsburgh, PA span from $21,700 at the 10th percentile to $27,000 at the 25th, $35,000 at the 75th, and $38,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Pittsburgh, PA?

On a median gross salary of $29,900, an estimated $25,287 lands in net take-home pay per year ($973 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,613 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Pittsburgh, PA?

On the median annual salary of $29,900, gross monthly income is $2,492. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,107 per month (or $973 every two weeks).

Is $29,900 a good salary in Pittsburgh, PA?

At $29,900, the median salary for food preparation workers is 39.5% of the Pittsburgh, PA median household income ($75,762). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 94.7, making regional consumer goods and services 5.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.