SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fort Wayne, IN is $30,850 per year, 12.7% below the national median of $35,320.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fort Wayne, IN is $30,850 per year, 12.7% below the national median of $35,320. Half of workers earn between $27,250 and $36,510. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,800 and the ninetieth at $44,000.
The area has 900 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Elkhart records the highest median at $33,640. Of the 442 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 423rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,800 | −38.3% |
| 25th | $27,250 | −22.8% |
| Median (50th) | $30,850 | −12.7% |
| 75th | $36,510 | +3.4% |
| 90th | $44,000 | +24.6% |
| Mean | $31,840 | −9.9% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elkhart | $33,640 | 660 | |
| 2 | Columbus | $32,150 | 200 | |
| 3 | Indianapolis | $30,490 | 4,870 | |
| 4 | Bloomington | $30,340 | 400 | |
| 5 | Kokomo | $30,160 | 230 | |
| 6 | South Bend | $29,970 | 760 | |
| 7 | Lafayette | $29,500 | 420 | |
| 8 | Michigan City | $28,640 | 240 | |
| 9 | Terre Haute | $28,610 | 340 | |
| 10 | Evansville | $28,440 | 860 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Fort Wayne run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $30,850 goes as far as $33,065 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,850as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,065US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,850 a year, 12.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,800 to $44,000 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 900 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 Fort Wayne, IN?
The median annual wage is $30,850, or $14.83 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 Fort Wayne, IN is 12.7% 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 Fort Wayne, IN earns more than $44,000 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,800 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 900 jobs in this occupation in Fort Wayne, 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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