Food Preparation Worker salary in Columbus, IN
Food Preparation Workers in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $32,150 a year ($15.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,480 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 8% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $29,700. There are 3.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $32,060, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,030 | $11.55 |
| 25th percentile | $27,960 | $13.44 |
| Median | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| 75th percentile | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Average (mean) | $32,060 | $15.41 |
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 | $2,679.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,339.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,236.54 |
| Weekly | $618.27 |
| Hourly | $15.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,410 | 27,100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,320 | 5,320 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $33,640 | 660 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $30,850 | 900 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,490 | 4,870 |
| Bloomington, IN | $30,340 | 400 |
| Kokomo, IN | $30,160 | 230 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $29,970 | 760 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $29,640 | 4,910 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $29,500 | 420 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,640 | 240 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $28,610 | 340 |
| Evansville, IN | $28,440 | 860 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,860 | 280 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,290 | $13.60 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,340 | $12.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,250 | $21.28 |
| Bartender | $23,700 | $11.39 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,360 | $12.67 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,670 | $13.30 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,340 | $15.55 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, 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 Columbus, IN?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Columbus, IN metro area is $32,150 a year, or $15.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $38,480 a year. The top 25% earn $35,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,030 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,960 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Columbus, IN?
About 200 food preparation workers are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.