How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $18.55 an hour or $3,216 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.55
- Vs. national median
- +8%
- Rank among cities
- 18 of 171
- Jobs in the area
- 1,680
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,360 | $16.52 | |
| 25th | $36,040 | $17.33 | |
| Median | $38,590 | $18.55 | |
| 75th | $40,610 | $19.52 | |
| 90th | $47,760 | $22.96 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,900 |
| Bartender | $48,030 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $47,580 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $46,040 |
| Cook | $44,880 |
| Cook | $42,920 |
| Cook | $39,650 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,630 |
| Food Server | $37,540 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $37,260 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $18.55 ($38,590 a year).
Do food preparation and serving related workers make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $38,590 against $35,840 nationally, 8% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $38,580, so Washington pays 0% more.
Where does Washington rank for food preparation and serving related worker pay?
18 of 171 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,360 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,760 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.