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Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $38,200 ($18.37/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,200/year and the 90th was $49,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Oregon tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,556 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 105.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,200$18.37 per hour · $3,183 monthly
10th Percentile$32,200$15.48/hr base
25th Percentile$35,800$17.21/hr base
75th Percentile$43,700$21.01/hr base
90th Percentile$49,500$23.80/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 OregonFederal tax, FICA and Oregon 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 Oregon publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Oregon.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$38,200
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,200
Net 80%
Fed 6%
OR 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,556After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,546Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,175Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,404 / yr
Oregon state income tax$2,318 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,922 / yr
Customize deductions in full Oregon calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

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-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (OR)
10th Percentile$15.48/hr$2,683$32,200$26,197
25th Percentile$17.21/hr$2,983$35,800$28,812
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.37/hr$3,183$38,200$30,556
75th Percentile$21.01/hr$3,642$43,700$34,551
90th Percentile$23.80/hr$4,125$49,500$38,765

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$97,436Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index105.45.4% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.2%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Oregon metros

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $38,200, which equates to approximately $3,183 per month or $18.37 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $18.37 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.48/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.80/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA span from $32,200 at the 10th percentile to $35,800 at the 25th, $43,700 at the 75th, and $49,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

On a median gross salary of $38,200, an estimated $30,556 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,175 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Oregon in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,644 (an effective rate of 20%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

On the median annual salary of $38,200, gross monthly income is $3,183. After federal, FICA, and Oregon state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,546 per month (or $1,175 every two weeks).

Is $38,200 a good salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

At $38,200, the median salary for food preparation workers is 39.2% of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA median household income ($97,436). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 105.4, making regional consumer goods and services 5.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.