Food Preparation Worker salary in Cleveland, OH
Food Preparation Workers in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $35,360 a year ($17.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,310 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $34,530. There are 4.3 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $35,230, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,890 | $13.41 |
| 25th percentile | $29,330 | $14.10 |
| Median | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| 75th percentile | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Average (mean) | $35,230 | $16.94 |
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 | $2,946.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,473.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,360 |
| Weekly | $680 |
| Hourly | $17.00 |
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 |
| Toledo, OH | $35,260 | 950 |
| Akron, OH | $35,010 | 1,110 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,320 | 5,320 |
| Mansfield, OH | $34,270 | 200 |
| Sandusky, OH | $34,080 | 270 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $33,110 | 1,060 |
| Springfield, OH | $31,840 | 160 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $31,420 | 810 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $30,310 | 720 |
| Lima, OH | $29,720 | 230 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $29,040 | 310 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $27,980 | 160 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $24,960 | 850 |
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 Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,750 | $13.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Bartender | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,060 | $13.01 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| Dishwasher | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,400 | $14.13 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $27,700 | $13.32 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $35,360 a year, or $17.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $44,310 a year. The top 25% earn $38,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,890 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,330 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Cleveland, OH?
About 4,410 food preparation workers are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.