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Portland-South Portland, ME · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Portland-South Portland, ME

In the Portland-South Portland, ME metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $37,800 ($18.17/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,700/year and the 90th was $48,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Maine tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,578 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,800$18.17 per hour · $3,150 monthly
10th Percentile$32,700$15.72/hr base
25th Percentile$35,400$17.02/hr base
75th Percentile$41,000$19.71/hr base
90th Percentile$48,700$23.41/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 $38,000 a year leaves after tax in MaineFederal tax, FICA and Maine 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 $38,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $38,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Maine publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Maine.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$37,800
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,800
Net 84%
Fed 6%
ME 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,578After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,631Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,215Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,356 / yr
Maine state income tax$974 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,892 / yr
Customize deductions in full Maine calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Portland-South Portland, ME

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 Portland-South Portland, ME Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (ME)
10th Percentile$15.72/hr$2,725$32,700$27,776
25th Percentile$17.02/hr$2,950$35,400$29,789
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.17/hr$3,150$37,800$31,578
75th Percentile$19.71/hr$3,417$41,000$33,964
90th Percentile$23.41/hr$4,058$48,700$39,701

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Portland-South Portland, ME

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$92,175Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.91.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Maine metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Portland-South Portland, ME. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Portland-South Portland, ME

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Portland-South Portland, ME is $37,800, which equates to approximately $3,150 per month or $18.17 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Portland-South Portland, ME is $18.17 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.72/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.41/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Portland-South Portland, ME?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Portland-South Portland, ME span from $32,700 at the 10th percentile to $35,400 at the 25th, $41,000 at the 75th, and $48,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Portland-South Portland, ME?

On a median gross salary of $37,800, an estimated $31,578 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,215 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Maine in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,222 (an effective rate of 16.5%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Portland-South Portland, ME?

On the median annual salary of $37,800, gross monthly income is $3,150. After federal, FICA, and Maine state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,631 per month (or $1,215 every two weeks).

Is $37,800 a good salary in Portland-South Portland, ME?

At $37,800, the median salary for food preparation workers is 41% of the Portland-South Portland, ME median household income ($92,175). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.9, making regional consumer goods and services 1.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.