Food Preparation Workers pay range in Allentown
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,040 a year or less, while the top 10% make $41,430 or more. The middle half of food preparation workers in Allentown earn between $30,120 and $37,230.
- $27K10th
- $30K25th
- $33KMedian
- $37K75th
- $41K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $33,970 | $2,831 | $16.33 |
| Median | $33,430 | $2,786 | $16.07 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $30,120 | $2,510 | $14.48 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $37,230 | $3,102 | $17.90 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Preparation Workers pay in Allentown vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Food preparation workers in Allentown earn 7% more than the Pennsylvania average ($31,880) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($35,290). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $35,320.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $33,970 | $33,430 | $27,040 | $41,430 | 1,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,880 | $30,840 | $22,360 | $39,600 | 17,940 |
| 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 Allentown
On the average salary of $33,970, a single filer in Allentown takes home about $28,432 a year, or $2,369 a month and $1,094 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.
The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in NJ | $28,968 | $2,414 |
| Working in PA | $28,432 | $2,369 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Allentown a good place for food preparation workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Allentown area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.0), so the average $33,970 buys what about $33,981 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Allentown ($48,990). A typical home costs $363,989, or 10.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Preparation Workers salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Allentown ranks 2nd of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($34,950).
- Philadelphia$34,950
- Allentown$33,970
- Reading$32,410
- Lancaster$32,240
- Harrisburg$32,070
- York$31,740
- Lebanon$31,730
- Gettysburg$31,690
- State College$31,500
- Erie$30,920
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Food Preparation Workers salary in Allentown: questions
How much do food preparation workers make an hour in Allentown?
$16.33 an hour on average, and $16.07 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Allentown?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,040 a year and the 25th percentile is $30,120, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food preparation workers take-home pay in Allentown?
About $28,432 a year ($2,369 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $33,970. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do food preparation workers earn more in Allentown than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% 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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ (10900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.1%.
- 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.63, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.63).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.