Watertown-Fort Drum, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

In the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $28,900 ($13.89/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,000/year and the 90th was $38,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,437 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$28,900$13.89 per hour · $2,408 monthly
10th Percentile$27,000$12.98/hr base
25th Percentile$27,900$13.41/hr base
75th Percentile$32,700$15.72/hr base
90th Percentile$38,000$18.27/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

$28,900
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$28,900
Net 85%
Fed 4%
NY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,437After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,036Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$940Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,288 / yr
New York state income tax$964 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,211 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Watertown-Fort Drum, 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 Watertown-Fort Drum, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$12.98/hr$2,250$27,000$22,983
25th Percentile$13.41/hr$2,325$27,900$23,676
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.89/hr$2,408$28,900$24,437
75th Percentile$15.72/hr$2,725$32,700$27,285
90th Percentile$18.27/hr$3,167$38,000$31,258

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$28,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,301Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.712.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.6%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 Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY is $28,900, which equates to approximately $2,408 per month or $13.89 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY is $13.89 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.98/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.27/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY span from $27,000 at the 10th percentile to $27,900 at the 25th, $32,700 at the 75th, and $38,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

On a median gross salary of $28,900, an estimated $24,437 lands in net take-home pay per year ($940 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,463 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

On the median annual salary of $28,900, gross monthly income is $2,408. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,036 per month (or $940 every two weeks).

Is $28,900 a good salary in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

At $28,900, the median salary for food preparation workers is 43.6% of the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY median household income ($66,301). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.7, making regional consumer goods and services 12.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.