How much does a food preparation worker make in Cincinnati?
$34,320a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area. That is $16.50 an hour or $2,860 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.50
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 162 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 5,320
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,230Median: $34,320Highest 10%: $44,420
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,230 | $11.65 | |
| 25th | $28,790 | $13.84 | |
| Median | $34,320 | $16.50 | |
| 75th | $37,780 | $18.16 | |
| 90th | $44,420 | $21.36 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Columbus, OH | $36,930 |
| Cleveland, OH | $35,360 |
| Toledo, OH | $35,260 |
| Akron, OH | $35,010 |
| Mansfield, OH | $34,270 |
| Sandusky, OH | $34,080 |
| Dayton, OH | $33,110 |
| Springfield, OH | $31,840 |
| Canton, OH | $31,420 |
| Youngstown, OH | $30,310 |
| Lima, OH | $29,720 |
| Wheeling, WV | $29,040 |
| Weirton, WV | $27,980 |
| Huntington, WV | $24,960 |
Related jobs in Cincinnati
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $56,620 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,370 |
| Cook | $37,180 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,530 |
| Cook | $36,030 |
| Bartender | $34,240 |
| Cook | $32,180 |
| Food Server | $32,070 |
| Dishwasher | $30,740 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Cincinnati?
The median hourly pay in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $16.50 ($34,320 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Cincinnati than the national average?
No: $34,320 against $35,320 nationally, 3% less.
How does Cincinnati compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $34,530, so Cincinnati pays 1% less.
Where does Cincinnati rank for food preparation worker pay?
162 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Cincinnati?
The lowest-paid 10% make $24,230 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,420 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.