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Worcester, MA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Worcester, MA

In the Worcester, MA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $37,700 ($18.13/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,200/year and the 90th was $46,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Massachusetts tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,907 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 102.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,700$18.13 per hour · $3,142 monthly
10th Percentile$33,200$15.96/hr base
25th Percentile$35,000$16.83/hr base
75th Percentile$43,200$20.77/hr base
90th Percentile$46,900$22.55/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 MassachusettsFederal tax, FICA and Massachusetts withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 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 Massachusetts publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Massachusetts.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$37,700
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,700
Net 82%
Fed 6%
MA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,907After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,576Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,189Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,344 / yr
Massachusetts state income tax$1,565 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,884 / yr
Customize deductions in full Massachusetts calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Worcester, MA

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 Worcester, MA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MA)
10th Percentile$15.96/hr$2,767$33,200$27,516
25th Percentile$16.83/hr$2,917$35,000$28,873
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.13/hr$3,142$37,700$30,907
75th Percentile$20.77/hr$3,600$43,200$35,051
90th Percentile$22.55/hr$3,908$46,900$37,839

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Worcester, MA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$95,939Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index102.52.5% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.3%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Massachusetts metros

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Worcester, MA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Worcester, MA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Worcester, MA is $37,700, which equates to approximately $3,142 per month or $18.13 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Worcester, MA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Worcester, MA is $18.13 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.96/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.55/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Worcester, MA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Worcester, MA span from $33,200 at the 10th percentile to $35,000 at the 25th, $43,200 at the 75th, and $46,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Worcester, MA?

On a median gross salary of $37,700, an estimated $30,907 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,189 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Massachusetts in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,793 (an effective rate of 18%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Worcester, MA?

On the median annual salary of $37,700, gross monthly income is $3,142. After federal, FICA, and Massachusetts state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,576 per month (or $1,189 every two weeks).

Is $37,700 a good salary in Worcester, MA?

At $37,700, the median salary for food preparation workers is 39.3% of the Worcester, MA median household income ($95,939). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 102.5, making regional consumer goods and services 2.5% more expensive than the U.S. average.