Food Preparation Worker Salary in Ocala, FL
Food Preparation Workers in the Ocala, FL metro area earn a median $34,560 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,949 take-home, or $2,496 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Ocala, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,967
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,143
- Medicare (1.45%)$501
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$29,949
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Food Preparation Worker pay by experience in Ocala, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,040 | $13.00 | $23,877 | $1,990 |
| 25th percentile | $29,620 | $14.24 | $25,980 | $2,165 |
| Median (50th) | $34,560 | $16.62 | $29,949 | $2,496 |
| 75th percentile | $36,520 | $17.56 | $31,524 | $2,627 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,140 | $18.82 | $33,629 | $2,802 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,560 buys in Ocala, FL
Prices in Ocala, FL are 4.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $29,949 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,448 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ocala, FL 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
Ocala, FL ranks #39 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 |
| 39 | Ocala, FL | $34,560 | $29,949 | $31,448 |
*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
- North Port, FL — $37,320
- Gainesville, FL — $35,050
- Sebastian, FL — $35,600
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Ocala, FL?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Ocala, FL metro area is $34,560 a year, or about $16.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,620 and $36,520.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Ocala, FL?
On the median $34,560 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $29,949 a year ($2,496 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Ocala, 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 4.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,448 would in a typical U.S. city. Ocala, FL ranks #39 of 254 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Ocala, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Ocala, FL is $1,172 a month ($1,373 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Ocala, FL
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $42,680
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,500
- Waiter and Waitress — $34,890
- Bartender — $29,620
- Dishwasher — $28,850
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,880