Food Preparation Workers pay range in McAllen
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $20,670 a year or less, while the top 10% make $38,010 or more. The middle half of food preparation workers in McAllen earn between $22,990 and $35,900.
- $21K10th
- $23K25th
- $27KMedian
- $36K75th
- $38K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $28,820 | $2,402 | $13.86 |
| Median | $26,960 | $2,247 | $12.96 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $22,990 | $1,916 | $11.05 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $35,900 | $2,992 | $17.26 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Preparation Workers pay in McAllen vs. Texas and the U.S.
Food preparation workers in McAllen earn 10% less than the Texas average ($32,120) and 18% less than the U.S. average ($35,290). At the median the gap is -24% against the U.S. median of $35,320.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen | $28,820 | $26,960 | $20,670 | $38,010 | 1,750 |
| Texas | $32,120 | $30,650 | $22,790 | $42,450 | 81,280 |
| 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 McAllen
On the average salary of $28,820, a single filer in McAllen takes home about $25,337 a year, or $2,111 a month and $974 every two weeks. Taxes take 12% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is McAllen a good place for food preparation workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the McAllen area are 14% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 85.9), so the average $28,820 buys what about $33,553 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in McAllen ($35,830). A typical home costs $193,978, or 6.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Preparation Workers salary in other Texas cities
McAllen ranks 21st of 26 Texas metro areas for this job; Austin pays the most ($34,550).
- Austin$34,550
- Midland$33,700
- Houston$33,220
- College Station$33,200
- Dallas$32,960
- San Antonio$32,900
- Wichita Falls$32,040
- Odessa$31,830
- Killeen$31,520
- McAllen$28,820
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 McAllen: questions
How much do food preparation workers make an hour in McAllen?
$13.86 an hour on average, and $12.96 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in McAllen?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $20,670 a year and the 25th percentile is $22,990, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food preparation workers take-home pay in McAllen?
About $25,337 a year ($2,111 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $28,820. Texas has no state income tax.
Do food preparation workers earn more in McAllen than elsewhere?
The average here is 18% 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 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX (32580). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.2%.
- 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 no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.03, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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