Food Preparation Worker salary in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
Food Preparation Workers in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn a median of $29,970 a year ($14.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 760 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,270 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $29,700. There are 5.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,360 | $11.71 |
| 25th percentile | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Median | $29,970 | $14.41 |
| 75th percentile | $35,370 | $17.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Average (mean) | $31,810 | $15.29 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,497.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,248.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,152.69 |
| Weekly | $576.35 |
| Hourly | $14.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,410 | 27,100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,320 | 5,320 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $34,100 | 590 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $33,640 | 660 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $33,060 | 8,250 |
| Columbus, IN | $32,150 | 200 |
| Traverse City, MI | $31,980 | 400 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $31,920 | 1,970 |
| Flint, MI | $31,510 | 530 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $31,410 | 490 |
| Jackson, MI | $31,120 | 170 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $30,850 | 900 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,490 | 4,870 |
| Bloomington, IN | $30,340 | 400 |
| Kokomo, IN | $30,160 | 230 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $30,100 | 170 |
| Monroe, MI | $30,060 | 180 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $29,650 | 330 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $29,640 | 4,910 |
| Niles, MI | $29,640 | 340 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $29,500 | 420 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $29,340 | 740 |
| Saginaw, MI | $28,960 | 320 |
| Bay City, MI | $28,790 | 150 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,640 | 240 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $28,610 | 340 |
| Evansville, IN | $28,440 | 860 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,860 | 280 |
| Midland, MI | $27,290 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,010 | $17.80 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,140 | $13.53 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,740 | $13.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,740 | $21.03 |
| Bartender | $23,000 | $11.06 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,080 | $13.98 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,150 | $12.57 |
| Dishwasher | $29,090 | $13.99 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,800 | $14.33 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,180 | $27.49 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is $29,970 a year, or $14.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn at least $39,270 a year. The top 25% earn $35,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,360 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,870 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
About 760 food preparation workers are employed in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.