Food Preparation Workers Salary in Youngstown, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Youngstown-Warren, OH

Median annual salary $28,820 -15.8% vs national
Median hourly $13.86
10th percentile $22,600
90th percentile $36,890
Employed locally 740
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Youngstown, OH stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
Youngstown, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,600
    25th
    $24,750
    50th (median)
    $28,820
    75th
    $33,310
    90th
    $36,890

    Youngstown economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $55,357 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 52% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 48% 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 Youngstown, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,260
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,540
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $34,640
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,150
    Bartenders $28,060
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $34,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Youngstown, OH is $13.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.54 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Youngstown, OH 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 Youngstown?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,600 per year in Youngstown, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,750.