How much does a food preparation worker make in South Bend?
$29,970a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area. That is $14.41 an hour or $2,498 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.41
- Vs. national median
- -15%
- Rank among cities
- 278 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 760
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,360Median: $29,970Highest 10%: $39,270
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,360 | $11.71 | |
| 25th | $27,870 | $13.40 | |
| Median | $29,970 | $14.41 | |
| 75th | $35,370 | $17.00 | |
| 90th | $39,270 | $18.88 |
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 |
| 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 South Bend
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,180 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,740 |
| Cook | $37,010 |
| Cook | $34,650 |
| Food Server | $29,800 |
| Cook | $29,540 |
| Dishwasher | $29,090 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,080 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $28,740 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,140 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in South Bend?
The median hourly pay in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is $14.41 ($29,970 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in South Bend than the national average?
No: $29,970 against $35,320 nationally, 15% less.
How does South Bend compare with the rest of Indiana?
The median in Indiana is $29,700, so South Bend pays 1% more.
Where does South Bend rank for food preparation worker pay?
278 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in South Bend?
The lowest-paid 10% make $24,360 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,270 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.