Food Preparation Worker salary in Massachusetts
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A food preparation worker in Massachusetts earns a median of $38,900 a year ($18.70/hour equivalent), 10.1% above the national median of $35,320. Massachusetts ranks #5 of 51 states. About 13,620 people do this job in Massachusetts.
Take-home pay in Massachusetts
At the Massachusetts median, a single filer keeps about $31,532 a year after federal, FICA and Massachusetts taxes — $1,213 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the Massachusetts paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,496.15
- Federal income tax
- −$95.69
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$92.76
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$21.69
- Massachusetts income tax
- −$66.35
- MA PFML
- −$6.88
- Take-home pay
- $1,212.78
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $38,900
- Federal
- $2,488
- FICA
- $2,976
- State + local
- $1,904
- Net
- $31,532
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 5.0%
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 Massachusetts 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 |
| #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 Massachusetts?
The median salary is $38,900 a year and the average is $41,030 (BLS May 2025).
Is Massachusetts a good state for food preparation workers?
Massachusetts ranks #5 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 10% above the national median of $35,320.
What is $38,900 after taxes in Massachusetts?
About $31,532 a year ($1,213 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.