Food Preparation Workers pay range in Lima
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $24,280 a year or less, while the top 10% make $38,210 or more. The middle half of food preparation workers in Lima earn between $27,460 and $37,680.
- $24K10th
- $27K25th
- $30KMedian
- $38K75th
- $38K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $32,420 | $2,702 | $15.59 |
| Median | $29,720 | $2,477 | $14.29 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $27,460 | $2,288 | $13.20 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $37,680 | $3,140 | $18.12 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Preparation Workers pay in Lima vs. Ohio and the U.S.
Food preparation workers in Lima earn 6% less than the Ohio average ($34,560) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($35,290). At the median the gap is -16% against the U.S. median of $35,320.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lima | $32,420 | $29,720 | $24,280 | $38,210 | 230 |
| Ohio | $34,560 | $34,530 | $26,640 | $44,500 | 19,480 |
| United States | $35,290 | $35,320 | $25,810 | $45,340 | 893,600 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Food Preparation Workers salary after taxes in Lima
On the average salary of $32,420, a single filer in Lima takes home about $27,301 a year, or $2,275 a month and $1,050 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Lima's local income tax (1.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
Is Lima a good place for food preparation workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Lima area are 10% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.7), so the average $32,420 buys what about $36,155 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Lima ($47,170). A typical home costs $192,196, or 5.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Preparation Workers salary in other Ohio cities
Lima ranks 11th of 12 Ohio metro areas for this job; Columbus pays the most ($37,060).
- Columbus$37,060
- Toledo$35,460
- Cleveland$35,230
- Akron$34,660
- Cincinnati$33,850
- Dayton$33,830
- Sandusky$33,700
- Springfield$33,180
- Canton$33,090
- Lima$32,420
Highest-paying cities for food preparation workers
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($48,150).
- Kahului, HI$48,150
- San Jose, CA$45,660
- Seattle, WA$44,390
- Napa, CA$44,240
- Santa Rosa, CA$43,450
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Food Preparation Workers salary in Lima: questions
How much do food preparation workers make an hour in Lima?
$15.59 an hour on average, and $14.29 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Lima?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $24,280 a year and the 25th percentile is $27,460, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food preparation workers take-home pay in Lima?
About $27,301 a year ($2,275 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $32,420. Includes Lima's local income tax (1.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
Do food preparation workers earn more in Lima than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% less than the U.S. average for this job ($35,290).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2021; area Lima, OH (30620). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Lima's local income tax (1.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.79, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.79).
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