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St. Cloud, MN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in St. Cloud, MN

In the St. Cloud, MN metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,000 ($14.90/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,900/year and the 90th was $40,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Minnesota tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,249 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,000$14.90 per hour · $2,583 monthly
10th Percentile$25,900$12.45/hr base
25th Percentile$27,100$13.03/hr base
75th Percentile$34,000$16.35/hr base
90th Percentile$40,700$19.57/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 $31,000 a year leaves after tax in MinnesotaFederal tax, FICA and Minnesota withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$15 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $31,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $31,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Minnesota publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Minnesota.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$31,000
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,000
Net 85%
Fed 5%
MN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,249After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,187Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,010Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,540 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$840 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,372 / yr
Customize deductions in full Minnesota calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in St. Cloud, MN

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 St. Cloud, MN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MN)
10th Percentile$12.45/hr$2,158$25,900$22,372
25th Percentile$13.03/hr$2,258$27,100$23,296
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.90/hr$2,583$31,000$26,249
75th Percentile$16.35/hr$2,833$34,000$28,499
90th Percentile$19.57/hr$3,392$40,700$33,524

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in St. Cloud, MN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$76,497Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.612.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.5%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Minnesota metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to St. Cloud, MN. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in St. Cloud, MN

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in St. Cloud, MN?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in St. Cloud, MN is $31,000, which equates to approximately $2,583 per month or $14.90 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in St. Cloud, MN?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in St. Cloud, MN is $14.90 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.45/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.57/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in St. Cloud, MN?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in St. Cloud, MN span from $25,900 at the 10th percentile to $27,100 at the 25th, $34,000 at the 75th, and $40,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in St. Cloud, MN?

On a median gross salary of $31,000, an estimated $26,249 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,010 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Minnesota in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,751 (an effective rate of 15.3%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in St. Cloud, MN?

On the median annual salary of $31,000, gross monthly income is $2,583. After federal, FICA, and Minnesota state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,187 per month (or $1,010 every two weeks).

Is $31,000 a good salary in St. Cloud, MN?

At $31,000, the median salary for food preparation workers is 40.5% of the St. Cloud, MN median household income ($76,497). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.6, making regional consumer goods and services 12.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.