Food Preparation Worker Salary in Tampa, FL
Food Preparation Workers in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median $36,330 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,371 take-home, or $2,614 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Tampa, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,180
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,252
- Medicare (1.45%)$527
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,371
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Food Preparation Worker pay by experience in Tampa, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,080 | $13.50 | $24,734 | $2,061 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 | $27,249 | $2,271 |
| Median (50th) | $36,330 | $17.47 | $31,371 | $2,614 |
| 75th percentile | $37,420 | $17.99 | $32,247 | $2,687 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,220 | $20.78 | $36,907 | $3,076 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,330 buys in Tampa, FL
Prices in Tampa, FL are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.26× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $31,371 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,094 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Tampa, FL has 1.2× the national concentration of food preparation worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for food preparation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Tampa, FL ranks #10 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 |
| 10 | Tampa, FL | $36,330 | $31,371 | $31,094 |
*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 Florida
- Jacksonville, FL — $36,730
- North Port, FL — $37,320
- Cape Coral, FL — $36,560
- Deltona, FL — $34,850
- Orlando, FL — $35,600
- Miami, FL — $36,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Tampa, FL?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $36,330 a year, or about $17.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,200 and $37,420.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Tampa, FL?
On the median $36,330 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $31,371 a year ($2,614 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a food preparation worker?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $35,320. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,094 would in a typical U.S. city. Tampa, FL ranks #10 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Tampa, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tampa, FL is $1,696 a month ($1,977 for two bedrooms) — 65% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tampa, FL
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,240
- Bartender — $37,460
- Waiter and Waitress — $37,070
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,010
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $35,040
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $34,480
- Dishwasher — $31,670
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $31,150
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,880
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,260