Food Preparation Workers Salary in Elkhart, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Elkhart-Goshen, IN

Median annual salary $30,200 -11.7% vs national
Median hourly $14.52
10th percentile $22,870
90th percentile $37,300
Employed locally 490
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Elkhart, IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,870
    25th
    $27,270
    50th (median)
    $30,200
    75th
    $35,800
    90th
    $37,300

    Elkhart economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,617 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
    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 Elkhart, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,430
    Waiters and Waitresses $27,910
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,130
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,200
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $32,440
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,680

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Elkhart, IN is $14.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.10 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Elkhart, IN is 11.7% 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 Elkhart?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,870 per year in Elkhart, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,270.