Food Preparation Worker Salary in Hartford, CT
Food Preparation Workers in the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT metro area earn a median $35,860 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,305 take-home, or $2,525 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Hartford, CT. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,123
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,223
- Medicare (1.45%)$520
- Connecticut income tax$689
- Take-home pay$30,305
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Food Preparation Worker pay by experience in Hartford, CT
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 | $28,902 | $2,408 |
| 25th percentile | $34,720 | $16.69 | $29,440 | $2,453 |
| Median (50th) | $35,860 | $17.24 | $30,305 | $2,525 |
| 75th percentile | $37,720 | $18.13 | $31,716 | $2,643 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,810 | $22.02 | $37,852 | $3,154 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Connecticut resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,860 buys in Hartford, CT
Prices in Hartford, CT are 2.7% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.10× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $30,305 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,495 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Food Preparation Worker jobs are about as common in Hartford, CT as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for food preparation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Hartford, CT ranks #33 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $45,580 | $37,398 | $33,868 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $43,830 | $37,397 | $33,651 |
| 3 | Omaha, NE | $36,140 | $30,454 | $33,134 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $36,930 | $31,620 | $33,121 |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $35,360 | $30,402 | $32,369 |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $36,730 | $31,693 | $31,857 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $34,390 | $29,812 | $31,476 |
| 8 | North Port, FL | $37,320 | $32,167 | $31,408 |
| 33 | Hartford, CT | $35,860 | $30,305 | $29,495 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
About the job: food preparation workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -3.0% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Food Preparation Worker salaries elsewhere in Connecticut
- Bridgeport, CT — $37,820
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Hartford, CT?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT metro area is $35,860 a year, or about $17.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,720 and $37,720.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Hartford, CT?
On the median $35,860 salary, a single filer living in Connecticut takes home about $30,305 a year ($2,525 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $689 in Connecticut taxes in 2026.
Is Hartford, CT a good place to work as a food preparation worker?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $35,320. Local prices are 2.7% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,495 would in a typical U.S. city. Hartford, CT ranks #33 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Hartford, CT?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Hartford, CT is $1,477 a month ($1,865 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Hartford, CT
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $52,540
- Cooks, Restaurant — $39,150
- Bartender — $37,290
- Waiter and Waitress — $37,200
- Dishwasher — $35,350
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $35,030