Food Preparation Worker salary in Lima, OH
Food Preparation Workers in the Lima, OH metro area earn a median of $29,720 a year ($14.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,210 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 14% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $34,530. There are 4.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $32,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Lima, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,280 | $11.67 |
| 25th percentile | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| Median | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| 75th percentile | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Average (mean) | $32,420 | $15.59 |
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 | $2,476.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,238.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,143.08 |
| Weekly | $571.54 |
| Hourly | $14.29 |
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 |
| Cleveland, OH | $35,360 | 4,410 |
| 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 |
| 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 Lima, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,320 | $13.14 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Bartender | $30,270 | $14.55 |
| Dishwasher | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $45,270 | $21.76 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lima, 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 Lima, OH?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Lima, OH metro area is $29,720 a year, or $14.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Lima, OH?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Lima, OH metro area earn at least $38,210 a year. The top 25% earn $37,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Lima, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,280 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,460 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Lima, OH?
About 230 food preparation workers are employed in the Lima, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.