SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN · 10 metro areas compared
At $34,320, median pay for Food Preparation Workers in Cincinnati, OH tracks the national median of $35,320 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $34,320, median pay for Food Preparation Workers in Cincinnati, OH tracks the national median of $35,320 closely. Pay ranges from under $24,230 at the tenth percentile to more than $44,420 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $28,790 to $37,780.
Employment stands at 5,320, or 4.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Columbus records the highest median at $36,930. Of the 647 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 614th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,230 | −31.4% |
| 25th | $28,790 | −18.5% |
| Median (50th) | $34,320 | −2.8% |
| 75th | $37,780 | +7.0% |
| 90th | $44,420 | +25.8% |
| Mean | $33,850 | −4.2% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $36,930 | 3,210 | |
| 2 | Cleveland | $35,360 | 4,410 | |
| 3 | Toledo | $35,260 | 950 | |
| 4 | Akron | $35,010 | 1,110 | |
| 5 | Mansfield | $34,270 | 200 | |
| 6 | Sandusky | $34,080 | 270 | |
| 7 | Dayton | $33,110 | 1,060 | |
| 8 | Springfield | $31,840 | 160 | |
| 9 | Canton | $31,420 | 810 | |
| 10 | Youngstown | $30,310 | 720 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Cincinnati run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $34,320 goes as far as $36,983 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,320as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,983US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,320 a year, 2.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,230 to $44,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 5,320 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbus, at $36,930.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Cincinnati, OH?
The median annual wage is $34,320, or $16.50 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 Cincinnati, OH is 2.8% 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 Cincinnati, OH earns more than $44,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,230 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 Columbus, at $36,930 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 5,320 jobs in this occupation in Cincinnati, OH. 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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