Food Preparation Workers Salary in Dayton, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH

Median annual salary $32,240 -5.8% vs national
Median hourly $15.50
10th percentile $26,360
90th percentile $39,260
Employed locally 1,110
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Dayton, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,360
    25th
    $28,900
    50th (median)
    $32,240
    75th
    $36,250
    90th
    $39,260

    Dayton economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,752 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 46% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 54% 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
    Cleveland, OH $32,140
    Sandusky, OH $31,720
    Ohio $31,590

    Related occupations in Dayton, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,140
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,400
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,490
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,220
    Bartenders $29,600
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,860

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Dayton, OH is $15.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.77 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Dayton, OH is 5.8% 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 Dayton?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,360 per year in Dayton, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,900.