Syracuse, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Syracuse, NY

In the Syracuse, NY metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,600 ($15.19/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,500/year and the 90th was $41,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,461 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,600$15.19 per hour · $2,633 monthly
10th Percentile$29,500$14.18/hr base
25th Percentile$30,400$14.62/hr base
75th Percentile$35,700$17.16/hr base
90th Percentile$41,500$19.95/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

$31,600
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,600
Net 84%
Fed 5%
NY 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,461After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,205Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,018Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,612 / yr
New York state income tax$1,110 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,417 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Syracuse, NY

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 Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$14.18/hr$2,458$29,500$24,887
25th Percentile$14.62/hr$2,533$30,400$25,561
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.19/hr$2,633$31,600$26,461
75th Percentile$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$29,534
90th Percentile$19.95/hr$3,458$41,500$33,881

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Syracuse, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$75,492Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.74.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Syracuse, NY

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Syracuse, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Syracuse, NY is $31,600, which equates to approximately $2,633 per month or $15.19 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Syracuse, NY?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Syracuse, NY is $15.19 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.18/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.95/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Syracuse, NY?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Syracuse, NY span from $29,500 at the 10th percentile to $30,400 at the 25th, $35,700 at the 75th, and $41,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Syracuse, NY?

On a median gross salary of $31,600, an estimated $26,461 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,018 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,139 (an effective rate of 16.3%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Syracuse, NY?

On the median annual salary of $31,600, gross monthly income is $2,633. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,205 per month (or $1,018 every two weeks).

Is $31,600 a good salary in Syracuse, NY?

At $31,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 41.9% of the Syracuse, NY median household income ($75,492). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.7, making regional consumer goods and services 4.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.