Food Preparation Workers Salary in Columbus, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, IN

Median annual salary $28,940 -15.4% vs national
Median hourly $13.91
10th percentile $21,460
90th percentile $43,320
Employed locally 210
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Columbus, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,460
    25th
    $25,940
    50th (median)
    $28,940
    75th
    $34,980
    90th
    $43,320

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,365 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 36% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 64% 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
    Washington $38,950
    Salinas, CA $38,670
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $38,240
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $38,070
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $37,990
    Colorado Springs, CO $37,630

    Related occupations in Columbus, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,440
    Waiters and Waitresses $24,190
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,610
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,100
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $25,180
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,730

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Columbus, IN is $13.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.50 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Columbus, IN is 15.4% 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 Columbus?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,460 per year in Columbus, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,940.