Food Preparation Workers Salary in Evansville, IN

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

Median annual salary $29,220 -14.6% vs national
Median hourly $14.05
10th percentile $21,230
90th percentile $36,910
Employed locally 820
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Evansville, IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,230
    25th
    $25,870
    50th (median)
    $29,220
    75th
    $31,800
    90th
    $36,910

    Evansville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,671 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 43% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 57% 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 Evansville, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,130
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,480
    Cooks, Restaurant $31,090
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,480
    Bartenders $21,740
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $34,520

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Evansville, IN is $14.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.52 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Evansville, IN is 14.6% 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 Evansville?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,230 per year in Evansville, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,870.