Food Preparation Workers pay in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood
In Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood (IN), the median pay for food preparation workers is $14.66 an hour ($30,490 a year). About 4,870 people work in this job there.
That is 14% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 3% higher than the Indiana median ($29,700).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood (IN)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $11.67 | $24,270 |
| 25% of workers | $13.36 | $27,800 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.66 | $30,490 |
| 75% of workers | $17.56 | $36,520 |
| 90% of workers | $20.43 | $42,490 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Indiana metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhart-Goshen | $33,640 | 660 |
| Columbus | $32,150 | 200 |
| Fort Wayne | $30,850 | 900 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood (this page) | $30,490 | 4,870 |
| Bloomington | $30,340 | 400 |
| Kokomo | $30,160 | 230 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | $29,970 | 760 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | $29,500 | 420 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | $28,640 | 240 |
| Terre Haute | $28,610 | 340 |
| Evansville | $28,440 | 860 |
| Muncie | $27,860 | 280 |
Indiana unemployment rate: 3.3% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood (IN)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,040 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,610 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,110 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,350 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,500 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,960 |
| Bakers | $36,870 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.