Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

In the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $30,300 ($14.57/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,700/year and the 90th was $39,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,662 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,300$14.57 per hour · $2,525 monthly
10th Percentile$23,700$11.39/hr base
25th Percentile$28,200$13.56/hr base
75th Percentile$36,700$17.64/hr base
90th Percentile$39,900$19.18/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$30,300
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,300
Net 85%
Fed 5%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,662After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,138Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$987Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,456 / yr
Indiana state income tax$864 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,318 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$11.39/hr$1,975$23,700$20,457
25th Percentile$13.56/hr$2,350$28,200$24,030
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.57/hr$2,525$30,300$25,662
75th Percentile$17.64/hr$3,058$36,700$30,615
90th Percentile$19.18/hr$3,325$39,900$33,092

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,120Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.44.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio37.4%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Indiana:

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN is $30,300, which equates to approximately $2,525 per month or $14.57 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN is $14.57 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.39/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.18/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN span from $23,700 at the 10th percentile to $28,200 at the 25th, $36,700 at the 75th, and $39,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

On a median gross salary of $30,300, an estimated $25,662 lands in net take-home pay per year ($987 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,638 (an effective rate of 15.3%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

On the median annual salary of $30,300, gross monthly income is $2,525. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,138 per month (or $987 every two weeks).

Is $30,300 a good salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?

At $30,300, the median salary for food preparation workers is 37.4% of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN median household income ($81,120). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.4, making regional consumer goods and services 4.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.