Food Preparation Worker salary in Delaware
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A food preparation worker in Delaware earns a median of $35,930 a year ($17.27/hour equivalent), 1.7% above the national median of $35,320. Delaware ranks #15 of 51 states. About 2,400 people do this job in Delaware.
Take-home pay in Delaware
At the Delaware median, a single filer keeps about $29,589 a year after federal, FICA and Delaware taxes — $1,138 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the Delaware paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,381.92
- Federal income tax
- −$81.98
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$85.68
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$20.04
- Delaware income tax
- −$50.66
- DE Paid Leave
- −$5.53
- Take-home pay
- $1,138.03
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $35,930
- Federal
- $2,132
- FICA
- $2,749
- State + local
- $1,461
- Net
- $29,589
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 5.5%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How Delaware compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $40,910 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| #3 | California | $39,350 |
| #4 | Colorado | $38,960 |
| #5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| #15 | Delaware | $35,930 |
| #49 | Kentucky | $26,850 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $26,240 |
| #51 | Louisiana | $23,620 |
See the national food preparation worker salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Food Preparation Workers (SOC 35-2021), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Delaware?
The median salary is $35,930 a year and the average is $36,360 (BLS May 2025).
Is Delaware a good state for food preparation workers?
Delaware ranks #15 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 2% above the national median of $35,320.
What is $35,930 after taxes in Delaware?
About $29,589 a year ($1,138 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.