How much does a food preparation worker make in Lafayette?
$29,500a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area. That is $14.18 an hour or $2,458 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.18
- Vs. national median
- -16%
- Rank among cities
- 291 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 420
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,380Median: $29,500Highest 10%: $38,140
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,380 | $10.76 | |
| 25th | $26,850 | $12.91 | |
| Median | $29,500 | $14.18 | |
| 75th | $36,530 | $17.56 | |
| 90th | $38,140 | $18.34 |
Other cities in Indiana
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Chicago, IL | $35,410 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $34,320 |
| Elkhart, IN | $33,640 |
| Columbus, IN | $32,150 |
| 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 |
| Michigan City, IN | $28,640 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $28,610 |
| Evansville, IN | $28,440 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,860 |
Related jobs in Lafayette
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,750 |
| Chef and Head Cook | $40,300 |
| Cook | $38,580 |
| Cook | $34,870 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $34,820 |
| Food Server | $29,990 |
| Cook | $29,540 |
| Dishwasher | $28,690 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $28,420 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,230 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Lafayette?
The median hourly pay in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $14.18 ($29,500 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Lafayette than the national average?
No: $29,500 against $35,320 nationally, 16% less.
How does Lafayette compare with the rest of Indiana?
The median in Indiana is $29,700, so Lafayette pays 1% less.
Where does Lafayette rank for food preparation worker pay?
291 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Lafayette?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,380 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,140 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.