Food Preparation Workers Salary in Northern Indiana

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $28,830 -15.8% vs national
Median hourly $13.86
10th percentile $22,520
90th percentile $36,880
Employed locally 1,100
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Northern Indiana stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
Northern Indiana
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,520
    25th
    $26,290
    50th (median)
    $28,830
    75th
    $32,670
    90th
    $36,880

    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

    Related occupations in Northern Indiana

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,940
    Waiters and Waitresses$23,290
    Cooks, Restaurant$31,030
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$38,040
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$31,300
    Bartenders$22,980

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Northern Indiana?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Northern Indiana is $13.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.51 or more per hour.

    Is Northern Indiana above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Northern Indiana is 15.8% 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 Northern Indiana?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,520 per year in Northern Indiana. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,290.