Sioux City, IA-NE-SD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

In the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD 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 $23,400/year and the 90th was $39,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,720 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 86.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,900$14.38 per hour · $2,492 monthly
10th Percentile$23,400$11.25/hr base
25th Percentile$27,800$13.37/hr base
75th Percentile$35,700$17.16/hr base
90th Percentile$39,700$19.09/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 86%
Fed 5%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,720After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,143Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$989Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,408 / yr
Iowa state income tax$484 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,287 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$11.25/hr$1,950$23,400$20,643
25th Percentile$13.37/hr$2,317$27,800$24,099
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.38/hr$2,492$29,900$25,720
75th Percentile$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$30,160
90th Percentile$19.09/hr$3,308$39,700$33,222

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

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$75,192Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index86.513.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD 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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD is $14.38 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.25/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.09/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD span from $23,400 at the 10th percentile to $27,800 at the 25th, $35,700 at the 75th, and $39,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

On a median gross salary of $29,900, an estimated $25,720 lands in net take-home pay per year ($989 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,180 (an effective rate of 14%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

On the median annual salary of $29,900, gross monthly income is $2,492. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,143 per month (or $989 every two weeks).

Is $29,900 a good salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

At $29,900, the median salary for food preparation workers is 39.8% of the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD median household income ($75,192). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 86.5, making regional consumer goods and services 13.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.