SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Southern Indiana
Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Southern Indiana, IN is $28,400 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 19.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Southern Indiana, IN is $28,400 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 19.6%. Half of workers earn between $26,370 and $33,100. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,880 and the ninetieth at $37,270.
The area has 840 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.3 of every thousand jobs. Elkhart leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $33,640. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 384th of 397 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,880 | −38.1% |
| 25th | $26,370 | −25.3% |
| Median (50th) | $28,400 | −19.6% |
| 75th | $33,100 | −6.3% |
| 90th | $37,270 | +5.5% |
| Mean | $29,370 | −16.8% |
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 Southern Indiana run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $28,400 goes as far as $30,439 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,439US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,400 a year, 19.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,880 to $37,270 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 840 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 Southern Indiana, IN?
The median annual wage is $28,400, or $13.65 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 Southern Indiana, IN is 19.6% 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 Southern Indiana, IN earns more than $37,270 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,880 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 840 jobs in this occupation in Southern 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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