Food Preparation Workers pay range in Muskegon
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $25,960 a year or less, while the top 10% make $37,140 or more. The middle half of food preparation workers in Muskegon earn between $26,520 and $34,460.
- $26K10th
- $27K25th
- $30KMedian
- $34K75th
- $37K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $31,480 | $2,623 | $15.13 |
| Median | $30,100 | $2,508 | $14.47 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $26,520 | $2,210 | $12.75 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $34,460 | $2,872 | $16.57 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Preparation Workers pay in Muskegon vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Food preparation workers in Muskegon earn 4% less than the Michigan average ($32,720) and 11% less than the U.S. average ($35,290). At the median the gap is -15% against the U.S. median of $35,320.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon | $31,480 | $30,100 | $25,960 | $37,140 | 170 |
| Michigan | $32,720 | $31,180 | $26,540 | $38,620 | 17,380 |
| United States | $35,290 | $35,320 | $25,810 | $45,340 | 893,600 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Food Preparation Workers salary after taxes in Muskegon
On the average salary of $31,480, a single filer in Muskegon takes home about $26,126 a year, or $2,177 a month and $1,005 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Muskegon's local income tax (1%).
Is Muskegon a good place for food preparation workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Muskegon area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.5), so the average $31,480 buys what about $34,025 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Muskegon ($46,060). A typical home costs $255,271, or 8.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Preparation Workers salary in other Michigan cities
Muskegon ranks 9th of 15 Michigan metro areas for this job; Ann Arbor pays the most ($34,160).
- Ann Arbor$34,160
- Detroit$33,680
- Grand Rapids$33,310
- Traverse City$33,290
- Kalamazoo$32,680
- Jackson$32,280
- Flint$32,210
- Lansing$31,810
- Muskegon$31,480
- Niles$31,480
Highest-paying cities for food preparation workers
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($48,150).
- Kahului, HI$48,150
- San Jose, CA$45,660
- Seattle, WA$44,390
- Napa, CA$44,240
- Santa Rosa, CA$43,450
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Food Preparation Workers salary in Muskegon: questions
How much do food preparation workers make an hour in Muskegon?
$15.13 an hour on average, and $14.47 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Muskegon?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $25,960 a year and the 25th percentile is $26,520, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food preparation workers take-home pay in Muskegon?
About $26,126 a year ($2,177 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $31,480. Includes Muskegon's local income tax (1%).
Do food preparation workers earn more in Muskegon than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% less than the U.S. average for this job ($35,290).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2021; area Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI (34740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Muskegon's local income tax (1%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.47, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.47).
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