How much does a food preparation worker make in Columbus?
$36,930a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Columbus, OH metro area. That is $17.75 an hour or $3,078 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.75
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 61 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 3,210
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,890Median: $36,930Highest 10%: $46,670
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,890 | $13.89 | |
| 25th | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| Median | $36,930 | $17.75 | |
| 75th | $39,730 | $19.10 | |
| 90th | $46,670 | $22.44 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Cleveland, OH | $35,360 |
| 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 Columbus
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,830 |
| Cook | $38,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,790 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $37,490 |
| Bartender | $37,000 |
| Cook | $36,590 |
| Cook | $35,200 |
| Dishwasher | $33,690 |
| Food Server | $32,250 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $30,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Columbus?
The median hourly pay in the Columbus, OH metro area is $17.75 ($36,930 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Columbus than the national average?
Yes: $36,930 against $35,320 nationally, 5% more.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $34,530, so Columbus pays 7% more.
Where does Columbus rank for food preparation worker pay?
61 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,890 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,670 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.