Food Preparation Worker salary in Ohio
Food Preparation Workers in Ohio earn a median of $34,530 a year ($16.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,500 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $35,320. Ohio ranks 27th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 3.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $34,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,640 | $12.81 |
| 25th percentile | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Median | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| 75th percentile | $38,070 | $18.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,500 | $21.39 |
| Average (mean) | $34,560 | $16.61 |
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 | $2,877.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,438.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,328.08 |
| Weekly | $664.04 |
| Hourly | $16.60 |
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 Ohio
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,870 | $12.92 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| Cooks, All Other | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,700 | $17.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Bartender | $30,880 | $14.84 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,550 | $13.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,440 | $14.63 |
| Dishwasher | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,400 | $14.14 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $53,990 | $25.96 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
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 Ohio?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Ohio is $34,530 a year, or $16.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Ohio?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Ohio earn at least $44,500 a year. The top 25% earn $38,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,640 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,930 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Ohio?
About 19,480 food preparation workers are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.