Food Preparation Worker Salary in Racine, WI
Food Preparation Workers in the Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI metro area earn a median $30,460 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,095 take-home, or $2,175 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Racine, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,475
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,889
- Medicare (1.45%)$442
- Wisconsin income tax$559
- Take-home pay$26,095
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Food Preparation Worker pay by experience in Racine, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,990 | $11.05 | $20,251 | $1,688 |
| 25th percentile | $28,080 | $13.50 | $24,264 | $2,022 |
| Median (50th) | $30,460 | $14.64 | $26,095 | $2,175 |
| 75th percentile | $36,330 | $17.47 | $30,554 | $2,546 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,970 | $20.66 | $35,597 | $2,966 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,460 buys in Racine, WI
Prices in Racine, WI are 4.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $26,095 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,194 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 Racine, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.14).
Best-paying cities for food preparation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Racine, WI ranks #208 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 |
| 208 | Racine, WI | $30,460 | $26,095 | $27,194 |
*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 Wisconsin
- La Crosse, WI — $34,900
- Madison, WI — $36,940
- Appleton, WI — $34,060
- Milwaukee, WI — $35,470
- Eau Claire, WI — $33,680
- Green Bay, WI — $32,720
- Oshkosh, WI — $32,340
- Janesville, WI — $32,150
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Racine, WI?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI metro area is $30,460 a year, or about $14.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,080 and $36,330.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Racine, WI?
On the median $30,460 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $26,095 a year ($2,175 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $559 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Racine, WI a good place to work as a food preparation worker?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $35,320. Local prices are 4.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,194 would in a typical U.S. city. Racine, WI ranks #208 of 254 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Racine, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Racine, WI is $988 a month ($1,235 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Racine, WI
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,130
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,800
- Waiter and Waitress — $30,020
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,670
- Bartender — $22,960