Food Preparation Workers Salary in Fort Wayne, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fort Wayne, IN

Median annual salary $30,510 -10.8% vs national
Median hourly $14.67
10th percentile $21,770
90th percentile $38,870
Employed locally 850
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Fort Wayne, IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,770
    25th
    $26,610
    50th (median)
    $30,510
    75th
    $35,710
    90th
    $38,870

    Fort Wayne economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,378 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 44% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 56% 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 Fort Wayne, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,770
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,170
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,550
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,990
    Bartenders $22,430
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,010

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Fort Wayne?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fort Wayne, IN is $14.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.16 or more per hour.

    Is Fort Wayne above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Fort Wayne, IN is 10.8% 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 Fort Wayne?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,770 per year in Fort Wayne, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,610.