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Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

In the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $35,000 ($16.83/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,500/year and the 90th was $42,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Florida tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,303 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,000$16.83 per hour · $2,917 monthly
10th Percentile$27,500$13.22/hr base
25th Percentile$29,700$14.28/hr base
75th Percentile$36,500$17.55/hr base
90th Percentile$42,200$20.29/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 $35,000 a year leaves after tax in FloridaFederal tax, FICA and Florida withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$17 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $35,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $35,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Florida publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Florida.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$35,000
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,000
Net 87%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,303After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,525Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,165Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,020 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,678 / yr
Customize deductions in full Florida calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (FL)
10th Percentile$13.22/hr$2,292$27,500$24,256
25th Percentile$14.28/hr$2,475$29,700$26,044
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.83/hr$2,917$35,000$30,303
75th Percentile$17.55/hr$3,042$36,500$31,508
90th Percentile$20.29/hr$3,517$42,200$36,088

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$74,392Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.90.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio47%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Florida metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL is $35,000, which equates to approximately $2,917 per month or $16.83 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL is $16.83 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.22/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.29/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL span from $27,500 at the 10th percentile to $29,700 at the 25th, $36,500 at the 75th, and $42,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

On a median gross salary of $35,000, an estimated $30,303 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,165 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Florida in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,698 (an effective rate of 13.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

On the median annual salary of $35,000, gross monthly income is $2,917. After federal, FICA, and Florida state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,525 per month (or $1,165 every two weeks).

Is $35,000 a good salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?

At $35,000, the median salary for food preparation workers is 47% of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL median household income ($74,392). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.9, making regional consumer goods and services 0.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.