SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Sandusky
Sandusky, OH · 10 metro areas compared
At $34,080, median pay for Food Preparation Workers in Sandusky, OH tracks the national median of $35,320 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $34,080, median pay for Food Preparation Workers in Sandusky, OH tracks the national median of $35,320 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $29,230 and $36,380. The lowest tenth earn under $27,420, while the highest tenth earn more than $42,960.
Employment stands at 270, or 5.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Columbus leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,930. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 186th of 208 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,420 | −22.4% |
| 25th | $29,230 | −17.2% |
| Median (50th) | $34,080 | −3.5% |
| 75th | $36,380 | +3.0% |
| 90th | $42,960 | +21.6% |
| Mean | $33,700 | −4.6% |
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 | Cincinnati | $34,320 | 5,320 | |
| 6 | Mansfield | $34,270 | 200 | |
| 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 Sandusky run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $34,080 goes as far as $36,724 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,724US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,080 a year, 3.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,420 to $42,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 270 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 Sandusky, OH?
The median annual wage is $34,080, or $16.38 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 Sandusky, OH is 3.5% 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 Sandusky, OH earns more than $42,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,420 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 270 jobs in this occupation in Sandusky, 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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