SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Central Indiana
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Central Indiana, IN is $28,290 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 19.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Central Indiana, IN is $28,290 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 19.9%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $26,790 and $33,940. The lowest tenth earn under $22,190, while the highest tenth earn more than $36,700.
The area has 870 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 5.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Elkhart records the highest median at $33,640. Of the 379 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 368th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,190 | −37.2% |
| 25th | $26,790 | −24.2% |
| Median (50th) | $28,290 | −19.9% |
| 75th | $33,940 | −3.9% |
| 90th | $36,700 | +3.9% |
| Mean | $29,880 | −15.4% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elkhart | $33,640 | 660 | |
| 2 | Columbus | $32,150 | 200 | |
| 3 | Fort Wayne | $30,850 | 900 | |
| 4 | Indianapolis | $30,490 | 4,870 | |
| 5 | Bloomington | $30,340 | 400 | |
| 6 | Kokomo | $30,160 | 230 | |
| 7 | South Bend | $29,970 | 760 | |
| 8 | Lafayette | $29,500 | 420 | |
| 9 | Michigan City | $28,640 | 240 | |
| 10 | Terre Haute | $28,610 | 340 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Indiana run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $28,290 goes as far as $30,322 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,290as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,322US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,290 a year, 19.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,190 to $36,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 870 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Elkhart, at $33,640.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Central Indiana, IN?
The median annual wage is $28,290, or $13.60 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 $35,320, so pay in Central Indiana, IN is 19.9% lower. 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 Central Indiana, IN earns more than $36,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,190 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.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Elkhart, at $33,640 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 870 jobs in this occupation in Central Indiana, IN. Self-employed workers are not included.
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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