How much does a food preparation worker make in Cleveland?
$35,360a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Cleveland, OH metro area. That is $17.00 an hour or $2,947 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.00
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 113 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 4,410
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,890Median: $35,360Highest 10%: $44,310
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,890 | $13.41 | |
| 25th | $29,330 | $14.10 | |
| Median | $35,360 | $17.00 | |
| 75th | $38,320 | $18.42 | |
| 90th | $44,310 | $21.30 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Columbus, OH | $36,930 |
| Toledo, OH | $35,260 |
| Akron, OH | $35,010 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $34,320 |
| 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 Cleveland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,020 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,700 |
| Cook | $37,060 |
| Cook | $36,930 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,260 |
| Bartender | $33,470 |
| Food Server | $30,350 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,400 |
| Dishwasher | $29,360 |
| Cook | $29,120 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Cleveland?
The median hourly pay in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $17.00 ($35,360 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Cleveland than the national average?
Yes: $35,360 against $35,320 nationally, 0% more.
How does Cleveland compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $34,530, so Cleveland pays 2% more.
Where does Cleveland rank for food preparation worker pay?
113 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Cleveland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,890 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,310 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.