Food Preparation Worker salary in New Jersey
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A food preparation worker in New Jersey earns a median of $35,540 a year ($17.09/hour equivalent), 0.6% above the national median of $35,320. New Jersey ranks #19 of 51 states. About 24,730 people do this job in New Jersey.
Take-home pay in New Jersey
At the New Jersey median, a single filer keeps about $29,902 a year after federal, FICA and New Jersey taxes — $1,150 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the New Jersey paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,366.92
- Federal income tax
- −$80.18
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$84.75
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$19.82
- New Jersey income tax
- −$20.56
- NJ Unemployment Insurance
- −$5.23
- NJ Workforce Development / Supplemental Workforce
- −$0.58
- NJ Temporary Disability Insurance
- −$2.60
- NJ Family Leave Insurance
- −$3.14
- Take-home pay
- $1,150.06
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $35,540
- Federal
- $2,085
- FICA
- $2,719
- State + local
- $835
- Net
- $29,902
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 1.8%
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 New Jersey 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 |
| #19 | New Jersey | $35,540 |
| #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 New Jersey?
The median salary is $35,540 a year and the average is $37,680 (BLS May 2025).
Is New Jersey a good state for food preparation workers?
New Jersey ranks #19 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 1% above the national median of $35,320.
What is $35,540 after taxes in New Jersey?
About $29,902 a year ($1,150 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.