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Urban Honolulu, HI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI

In the Urban Honolulu, HI metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $38,500 ($18.51/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,200/year and the 90th was $58,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Hawaii tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,892 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 111.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,500$18.51 per hour · $3,208 monthly
10th Percentile$30,200$14.52/hr base
25th Percentile$33,600$16.15/hr base
75th Percentile$47,400$22.79/hr base
90th Percentile$58,300$28.03/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 $38,000 a year leaves after tax in HawaiiFederal tax, FICA and Hawaii withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$19 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $38,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $38,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Hawaii publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Hawaii.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$38,500
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,500
Net 83%
Fed 6%
HI 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,892After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,658Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,227Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,440 / yr
Hawaii state income tax$1,223 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,945 / yr
Customize deductions in full Hawaii calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Urban Honolulu, HI

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 Urban Honolulu, HI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (HI)
10th Percentile$14.52/hr$2,517$30,200$25,775
25th Percentile$16.15/hr$2,800$33,600$28,288
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.51/hr$3,208$38,500$31,892
75th Percentile$22.79/hr$3,950$47,400$38,428
90th Percentile$28.03/hr$4,858$58,300$46,397

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Urban Honolulu, HI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$106,195Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index111.011% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio36.3%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Hawaii metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Urban Honolulu, HI. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Urban Honolulu, HI

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Urban Honolulu, HI?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Urban Honolulu, HI is $38,500, which equates to approximately $3,208 per month or $18.51 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Urban Honolulu, HI?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Urban Honolulu, HI is $18.51 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.52/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.03/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Urban Honolulu, HI?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Urban Honolulu, HI span from $30,200 at the 10th percentile to $33,600 at the 25th, $47,400 at the 75th, and $58,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Urban Honolulu, HI?

On a median gross salary of $38,500, an estimated $31,892 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,227 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Hawaii in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,608 (an effective rate of 17.2%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Urban Honolulu, HI?

On the median annual salary of $38,500, gross monthly income is $3,208. After federal, FICA, and Hawaii state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,658 per month (or $1,227 every two weeks).

Is $38,500 a good salary in Urban Honolulu, HI?

At $38,500, the median salary for food preparation workers is 36.3% of the Urban Honolulu, HI median household income ($106,195). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.0, making regional consumer goods and services 11% more expensive than the U.S. average.