Food Preparation Worker Salary in Las Vegas, NV
Food Preparation Workers in the Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV metro area earn a median $33,870 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,395 take-home, or $2,450 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Las Vegas, NV. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,884
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,100
- Medicare (1.45%)$491
- Nevada income tax$0
- Take-home pay$29,395
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 Las Vegas, NV
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,280 | $12.63 | $23,252 | $1,938 |
| 25th percentile | $29,300 | $14.09 | $25,723 | $2,144 |
| Median (50th) | $33,870 | $16.28 | $29,395 | $2,450 |
| 75th percentile | $41,870 | $20.13 | $35,823 | $2,985 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,110 | $24.57 | $43,247 | $3,604 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Nevada resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,870 buys in Las Vegas, NV
Prices in Las Vegas, NV are 0.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.16× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $29,395 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,331 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Las Vegas, NV has 1.4× 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
Las Vegas, NV ranks #35 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 |
| 35 | Las Vegas, NV | $33,870 | $29,395 | $29,331 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Las Vegas, NV?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV metro area is $33,870 a year, or about $16.28 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,300 and $41,870.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Las Vegas, NV?
On the median $33,870 salary, a single filer living in Nevada takes home about $29,395 a year ($2,450 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Las Vegas, NV a good place to work as a food preparation worker?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $35,320. Local prices are 0.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,331 would in a typical U.S. city. Las Vegas, NV ranks #35 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Las Vegas, NV?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Las Vegas, NV is $1,478 a month ($1,735 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Las Vegas, NV
- Chef and Head Cook — $62,380
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,710
- Cooks, Restaurant — $38,800
- Dishwasher — $35,630
- Cooks, Fast Food — $33,960
- Bartender — $33,750
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $32,950
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $31,950
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $28,290
- Waiter and Waitress — $27,110