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Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA

In the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $24,800 ($11.92/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $18,900/year and the 90th was $35,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Louisiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $21,675 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$24,800$11.92 per hour · $2,067 monthly
10th Percentile$18,900$9.09/hr base
25th Percentile$22,600$10.87/hr base
75th Percentile$30,100$14.47/hr base
90th Percentile$35,900$17.26/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 $25,000 a year leaves after tax in LouisianaFederal tax, FICA and Louisiana withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$12 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $25,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $25,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Louisiana publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Louisiana.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$24,800
$15,000$50,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$24,800
Net 87%
Fed 4%
LA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$21,675After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,806Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$834Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$870 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$358 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,897 / yr
Customize deductions in full Louisiana calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA

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 Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (LA)
10th Percentile$9.09/hr$1,575$18,900$16,993
25th Percentile$10.87/hr$1,883$22,600$19,929
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$11.92/hr$2,067$24,800$21,675
75th Percentile$14.47/hr$2,508$30,100$25,849
90th Percentile$17.26/hr$2,992$35,900$30,335

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$24,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,202Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.77.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio30.5%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Louisiana metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA is $24,800, which equates to approximately $2,067 per month or $11.92 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA is $11.92 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $9.09/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.26/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA span from $18,900 at the 10th percentile to $22,600 at the 25th, $30,100 at the 75th, and $35,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?

On a median gross salary of $24,800, an estimated $21,675 lands in net take-home pay per year ($834 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Louisiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,125 (an effective rate of 12.6%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?

On the median annual salary of $24,800, gross monthly income is $2,067. After federal, FICA, and Louisiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,806 per month (or $834 every two weeks).

Is $24,800 a good salary in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?

At $24,800, the median salary for food preparation workers is 30.5% of the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA median household income ($81,202). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.7, making regional consumer goods and services 7.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.