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Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

In the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $30,500 ($14.66/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,800/year and the 90th was $40,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,817 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,500$14.66 per hour · $2,542 monthly
10th Percentile$23,800$11.44/hr base
25th Percentile$28,200$13.56/hr base
75th Percentile$36,800$17.69/hr base
90th Percentile$40,000$19.23/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 payWhat $30,000 a year leaves after tax in IndianaFederal tax, FICA and Indiana withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$15 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $30,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $30,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Indiana publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Indiana.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$30,500
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,500
Net 85%
Fed 5%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,817After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,151Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$993Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,480 / yr
Indiana state income tax$870 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,333 / yr
Customize deductions in full Indiana calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, 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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$11.44/hr$1,983$23,800$20,537
25th Percentile$13.56/hr$2,350$28,200$24,030
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.66/hr$2,542$30,500$25,817
75th Percentile$17.69/hr$3,067$36,800$30,693
90th Percentile$19.23/hr$3,333$40,000$33,170

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$79,852Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.74.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.2%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Indiana metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN is $30,500, which equates to approximately $2,542 per month or $14.66 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN is $14.66 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.44/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.23/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN span from $23,800 at the 10th percentile to $28,200 at the 25th, $36,800 at the 75th, and $40,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

On a median gross salary of $30,500, an estimated $25,817 lands in net take-home pay per year ($993 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,684 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

On the median annual salary of $30,500, gross monthly income is $2,542. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,151 per month (or $993 every two weeks).

Is $30,500 a good salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

At $30,500, the median salary for food preparation workers is 38.2% of the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN median household income ($79,852). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.7, making regional consumer goods and services 4.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.