Food Preparation Worker salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Food Preparation Workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $34,320 a year ($16.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,420 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $34,530. There are 4.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,850, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,230 | $11.65 |
| 25th percentile | $28,790 | $13.84 |
| Median | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| 75th percentile | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Average (mean) | $33,850 | $16.27 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,860 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,430 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,320 |
| Weekly | $660 |
| Hourly | $16.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $36,930 | 3,210 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,410 | 27,100 |
| Cleveland, OH | $35,360 | 4,410 |
| Toledo, OH | $35,260 | 950 |
| Akron, OH | $35,010 | 1,110 |
| Mansfield, OH | $34,270 | 200 |
| Sandusky, OH | $34,080 | 270 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $33,640 | 660 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $33,110 | 1,060 |
| Columbus, IN | $32,150 | 200 |
| Springfield, OH | $31,840 | 160 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $31,420 | 810 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $30,850 | 900 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,490 | 4,870 |
| Bloomington, IN | $30,340 | 400 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $30,310 | 720 |
| Kokomo, IN | $30,160 | 230 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $29,970 | 760 |
| Lima, OH | $29,720 | 230 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $29,640 | 4,910 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $29,500 | 420 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $29,040 | 310 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,640 | 240 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $28,610 | 340 |
| Evansville, IN | $28,440 | 860 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $27,980 | 160 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,860 | 280 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $27,340 | 2,310 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $27,210 | 480 |
| Owensboro, KY | $27,130 | 460 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,530 | $17.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Bartender | $34,240 | $16.46 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,070 | $15.42 |
| Dishwasher | $30,740 | $14.78 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,890 | $14.37 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $28,090 | $13.50 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $34,320 a year, or $16.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $44,420 a year. The top 25% earn $37,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,230 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,790 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 5,320 food preparation workers are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.