Food Preparation Workers Employment & Job Outlook in Ohio (2024)

Ohio employs 23,540 Food Preparation Workers professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Ohio employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
23,540
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
23.54
workers
Location Quotient
1.36
vs national avg
Average Salary
$30K
annual

High Demand in Ohio

The location quotient (LQ) of 1.36 indicates that Ohio has a higher-than-average concentration of Food Preparation Workers professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Ohio vs National Average

Total Employed
23,540
National: 879,610
2.7% of national
Jobs per 1,000
23.54
National: 17.25
+36.5%
Average Salary
$30K
National: $32K
-6.9%

Top States by Food Preparation Workers Employment

#1
107,870
107,870
employed
#2
92,020
92,020
employed
#3
70,830
70,830
employed
#4
51,920
51,920
employed
#5
39,660
39,660
employed
#6
29,250
29,250
employed
#7
28,550
28,550
employed
#8
25,920
25,920
employed
#9
25,240
25,240
employed
#10
23,540
23,540
employed

What Does a Food Preparation Workers Earn in Ohio?

The average annual salary for a Food Preparation Workers in Ohio is $30,210. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Food Preparation Workers jobs are there in Ohio?

Ohio employs approximately 23,540 Food Preparation Workers professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks Ohio among the top states nationwide.

Is Food Preparation Workers in demand in Ohio?

Yes — Ohio has above-average concentration of Food Preparation Workers jobs (LQ: 1.36). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Food Preparation Workers in Ohio?

The average (mean) salary for Food Preparation Workers in Ohio is $30210/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Food Preparation Workers professionals?

The top state for Food Preparation Workers employment is California with 107,870 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Food Preparation Workers (SOC 352021) in Ohio.

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