Food Preparation Worker Salary in Lakeland, FL
Food Preparation Workers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $34,610 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,989 take-home, or $2,499 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,973
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,146
- Medicare (1.45%)$502
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$29,989
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Food Preparation Worker pay by experience in Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,040 | $13.00 | $23,877 | $1,990 |
| 25th percentile | $29,440 | $14.15 | $25,835 | $2,153 |
| Median (50th) | $34,610 | $16.64 | $29,989 | $2,499 |
| 75th percentile | $36,300 | $17.45 | $31,347 | $2,612 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,200 | $18.37 | $32,874 | $2,739 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,610 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $29,989 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,872 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lakeland, FL has 1.3× 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
Lakeland, FL ranks #66 of 254 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yakima, WA | $41,750 | $35,726 | $37,392 |
| 2 | Wildwood, FL | $35,410 | $30,632 | $35,859 |
| 3 | Fargo, ND | $36,590 | $31,580 | $34,753 |
| 4 | Wichita Falls, TX | $35,700 | $30,865 | $34,481 |
| 5 | Kahului, HI | $46,680 | $37,642 | $34,410 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $45,580 | $37,398 | $33,868 |
| 7 | Springfield, MO | $35,340 | $29,852 | $33,699 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $43,830 | $37,397 | $33,651 |
| 66 | Lakeland, FL | $34,610 | $29,989 | $30,872 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 254 metros →
Food Preparation Worker salaries elsewhere in Florida
- Wildwood, FL — $35,410
- Crestview, FL — $36,680
- Jacksonville, FL — $36,730
- Naples, FL — $38,190
- Port St. Lucie, FL — $37,000
- Ocala, FL — $34,560
- North Port, FL — $37,320
- Gainesville, FL — $35,050
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Lakeland, FL?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $34,610 a year, or about $16.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,440 and $36,300.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $34,610 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $29,989 a year ($2,499 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a food preparation worker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $35,320. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,872 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #66 of 254 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lakeland, FL
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $43,220
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,250
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,600
- Waiter and Waitress — $35,270
- Bartender — $33,920
- Dishwasher — $29,190
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,140
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,500
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,050