Food Preparation Workers Salary in Lima, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lima, OH

Median annual salary $28,770 -15.9% vs national
Median hourly $13.83
10th percentile $24,810
90th percentile $36,870
Employed locally 210
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Lima, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,810
    25th
    $26,760
    50th (median)
    $28,770
    75th
    $33,390
    90th
    $36,870

    Lima economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,001 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
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $32,240
    Cleveland, OH $32,140
    Sandusky, OH $31,720

    Related occupations in Lima, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,690
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,480
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,480
    Cooks, Restaurant $31,410
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $34,600
    Bartenders $28,940

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Lima, OH is $13.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.37 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Lima, OH is 15.9% 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 Lima?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $24,810 per year in Lima, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,760.