Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

In the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $29,600 ($14.23/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,400/year and the 90th was $38,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,055 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,600$14.23 per hour · $2,467 monthly
10th Percentile$21,400$10.29/hr base
25th Percentile$26,700$12.84/hr base
75th Percentile$34,600$16.63/hr base
90th Percentile$38,000$18.27/hr base

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Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$29,600
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,600
Net 85%
Fed 5%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,055After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,088Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$964Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,372 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$909 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,264 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, 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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$10.29/hr$1,783$21,400$18,576
25th Percentile$12.84/hr$2,225$26,700$22,778
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$25,055
75th Percentile$16.63/hr$2,883$34,600$28,919
90th Percentile$18.27/hr$3,167$38,000$31,546

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,158Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.66.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio45.4%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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $29,600, which equates to approximately $2,467 per month or $14.23 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $14.23 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.29/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.27/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA span from $21,400 at the 10th percentile to $26,700 at the 25th, $34,600 at the 75th, and $38,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

On a median gross salary of $29,600, an estimated $25,055 lands in net take-home pay per year ($964 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,545 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

On the median annual salary of $29,600, gross monthly income is $2,467. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,088 per month (or $964 every two weeks).

Is $29,600 a good salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

At $29,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 45.4% of the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA median household income ($65,158). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.6, making regional consumer goods and services 6.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.