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Salt Lake City-Murray, UT · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT

In the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $34,200 ($16.44/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,300/year and the 90th was $46,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Utah tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,879 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,200$16.44 per hour · $2,850 monthly
10th Percentile$27,300$13.13/hr base
25th Percentile$30,400$14.62/hr base
75th Percentile$39,200$18.85/hr base
90th Percentile$46,200$22.21/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 $34,000 a year leaves after tax in UtahFederal tax, FICA and Utah withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$16 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $34,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $34,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Utah publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Utah.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$34,200
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,200
Net 84%
Fed 6%
UT 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,879After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,407Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,111Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,924 / yr
Utah state income tax$781 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,616 / yr
Customize deductions in full Utah calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT

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 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (UT)
10th Percentile$13.13/hr$2,275$27,300$23,711
25th Percentile$14.62/hr$2,533$30,400$26,046
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.44/hr$2,850$34,200$28,879
75th Percentile$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$32,606
90th Percentile$22.21/hr$3,850$46,200$37,825

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$98,083Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.90.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio34.9%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Utah metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Salt Lake City-Murray, UT. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT is $34,200, which equates to approximately $2,850 per month or $16.44 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT is $16.44 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.13/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.21/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT span from $27,300 at the 10th percentile to $30,400 at the 25th, $39,200 at the 75th, and $46,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?

On a median gross salary of $34,200, an estimated $28,879 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,111 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Utah in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,321 (an effective rate of 15.6%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?

On the median annual salary of $34,200, gross monthly income is $2,850. After federal, FICA, and Utah state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,407 per month (or $1,111 every two weeks).

Is $34,200 a good salary in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?

At $34,200, the median salary for food preparation workers is 34.9% of the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT median household income ($98,083). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.9, making regional consumer goods and services 0.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.