SOC 35-9099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — Indianapolis
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
At $38,160, median pay for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Indianapolis, IN tracks the national median of $35,840 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $38,160, median pay for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Indianapolis, IN tracks the national median of $35,840 closely. Pay ranges from under $19,390 at the tenth percentile to more than $38,590 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $19,390 to $38,160.
Of the 621 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 545th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,390 | −45.9% |
| 25th | $19,390 | −45.9% |
| Median (50th) | $38,160 | +6.5% |
| 75th | $38,160 | +6.5% |
| 90th | $38,590 | +7.7% |
| Mean | $32,740 | −8.6% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Indianapolis run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $38,160 goes as far as $40,900 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,160as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,900US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,160 a year, 6.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,390 to $38,590 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Indianapolis, IN?
The median annual wage is $38,160, or $18.35 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,840, so pay in Indianapolis, IN is 6.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Indianapolis, IN earns more than $38,590 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,390 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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