Food Preparation Workers salary
in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
- Middle 50%
- $26,850–$36,530
- vs U.S. median
- -16%
- Metro rank
- #342 of 496
Food Preparation Workers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro earn a median of $29,500 a year, based on BLS estimates for 420 jobs (May 2025). That is 16% below the U.S. median of $35,320 and 1% below the IN statewide median of $29,700. It ranks #342 of 496 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE420 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
Were you outpaid?
Your salary is ranked in your browser and never uploaded.
Food Preparation Workers pay in other IN metros
8 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $33,640 |
| Columbus, IN | $32,150 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $30,850 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,490 |
| Bloomington, IN | $30,340 |
| Kokomo, IN | $30,160 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $29,970 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,640 |
Turn your result into a raise plan.
Run the free check first for Food Preparation Workers. If you want to act on it, the Dossier turns your result into a target number (the 75th percentile for your job and metro), the employers that report paying more (where filing data exists), a raise or counter-offer script filled in with your numbers, and a one-page summary for your manager.
- ✓ Built from BLS and DOL data
- ✓ PDF generated in your browser
- ✓ 7-day money-back guarantee
RELATED JOBS IN LAFAYETTE
Questions
What is the average Food Preparation Workers salary in Lafayette?
The BLS median is $29,500 a year (May 2025). Half of the 420 jobs pay between $26,850 and $36,530. The 10th percentile is $22,380 and the 90th is $38,140.
Is Lafayette a high-paying metro for Food Preparation Workers?
That is 16% below the U.S. median of $35,320 and 1% below the IN statewide median of $29,700. It ranks #342 of 496 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Food Preparation Workers make an hour in Lafayette?
About $14.18 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $29,500 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $12.91–$17.56 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.