Food Preparation Worker salary in Indiana
Food Preparation Workers in Indiana earn a median of $29,700 a year ($14.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,050 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $35,320. Indiana ranks 43rd of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 5.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,170 | $11.14 |
| 25th percentile | $27,550 | $13.25 |
| Median | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| 75th percentile | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,050 | $18.77 |
| Average (mean) | $31,560 | $15.17 |
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 | $2,475 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,237.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,142.31 |
| Weekly | $571.15 |
| Hourly | $14.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Indiana
| 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 |
| Columbus, IN | $32,150 | 200 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,870 | $14.36 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $21,940 | $10.55 |
| Cooks, All Other | $44,290 | $21.30 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,790 | $13.84 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| Bartender | $22,770 | $10.95 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,920 | $12.94 |
| Dishwasher | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $52,190 | $25.09 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Indiana is $29,700 a year, or $14.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Indiana?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Indiana earn at least $39,050 a year. The top 25% earn $35,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,170 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,550 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Indiana?
About 16,200 food preparation workers are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.