How much does a food preparation worker make in Columbus?
$32,150a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Columbus, IN metro area. That is $15.46 an hour or $2,679 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.46
- Vs. national median
- -9%
- Rank among cities
- 204 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 200
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,030Median: $32,150Highest 10%: $38,480
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,030 | $11.55 | |
| 25th | $27,960 | $13.44 | |
| Median | $32,150 | $15.46 | |
| 75th | $35,690 | $17.16 | |
| 90th | $38,480 | $18.50 |
Other cities in Indiana
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Chicago, IL | $35,410 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $34,320 |
| Elkhart, IN | $33,640 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $30,850 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $30,490 |
| Bloomington, IN | $30,340 |
| Kokomo, IN | $30,160 |
| South Bend, IN | $29,970 |
| Louisville, KY | $29,640 |
| Lafayette, IN | $29,500 |
| Michigan City, IN | $28,640 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $28,610 |
| Evansville, IN | $28,440 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,860 |
Related jobs in Columbus
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,250 |
| Cook | $35,490 |
| Cook | $29,740 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,290 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,670 |
| Host and Hostess | $26,360 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $26,340 |
| Bartender | $23,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Columbus?
The median hourly pay in the Columbus, IN metro area is $15.46 ($32,150 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Columbus than the national average?
No: $32,150 against $35,320 nationally, 9% less.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Indiana?
The median in Indiana is $29,700, so Columbus pays 8% more.
Where does Columbus rank for food preparation worker pay?
204 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $24,030 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,480 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.