Youngstown-Warren, OH · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Youngstown-Warren, OH

In the Youngstown-Warren, OH metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $32,500 ($15.63/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,100/year and the 90th was $41,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Ohio tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,850 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,500$15.63 per hour · $2,708 monthly
10th Percentile$25,100$12.07/hr base
25th Percentile$27,300$13.13/hr base
75th Percentile$35,900$17.26/hr base
90th Percentile$41,900$20.14/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

$32,500
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$32,500
Net 86%
Fed 5%
OH 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,850After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,321Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,071Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,720 / yr
Ohio state income tax$443 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,486 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Youngstown-Warren, OH

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 Youngstown-Warren, OH Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (OH)
10th Percentile$12.07/hr$2,092$25,100$22,280
25th Percentile$13.13/hr$2,275$27,300$24,092
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.63/hr$2,708$32,500$27,850
75th Percentile$17.26/hr$2,992$35,900$30,489
90th Percentile$20.14/hr$3,492$41,900$35,138

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Youngstown-Warren, OH

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$32,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$56,713Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.412.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio57.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Youngstown-Warren, OH

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Youngstown-Warren, OH?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Youngstown-Warren, OH is $32,500, which equates to approximately $2,708 per month or $15.63 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Youngstown-Warren, OH?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Youngstown-Warren, OH is $15.63 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.07/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.14/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Youngstown-Warren, OH?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Youngstown-Warren, OH span from $25,100 at the 10th percentile to $27,300 at the 25th, $35,900 at the 75th, and $41,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Youngstown-Warren, OH?

On a median gross salary of $32,500, an estimated $27,850 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,071 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Ohio in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,650 (an effective rate of 14.3%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Youngstown-Warren, OH?

On the median annual salary of $32,500, gross monthly income is $2,708. After federal, FICA, and Ohio state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,321 per month (or $1,071 every two weeks).

Is $32,500 a good salary in Youngstown-Warren, OH?

At $32,500, the median salary for food preparation workers is 57.3% of the Youngstown-Warren, OH median household income ($56,713). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.4, making regional consumer goods and services 12.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.