Food Preparation Workers Salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

Median annual salary $31,300 -8.5% vs national
Median hourly $15.05
10th percentile $23,570
90th percentile $39,510
Employed locally 5,250
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Food Preparation Workers
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Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,570
    25th
    $27,560
    50th (median)
    $31,300
    75th
    $36,560
    90th
    $39,510

    Cincinnati economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,490 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 39% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 61% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Columbus, OH $34,930
    Akron, OH $33,840
    Toledo, OH $32,250
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $32,240
    Cleveland, OH $32,140
    Sandusky, OH $31,720

    Related occupations in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,790
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,290
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,870
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,270
    Bartenders $30,460
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,190

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Cincinnati?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN is $15.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.36 or more per hour.

    Is Cincinnati above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN is 8.5% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Cincinnati?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,570 per year in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,560.