How much does a food preparation worker make in Seattle?
$43,830a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $21.07 an hour or $3,653 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.07
- Vs. national median
- +24%
- Rank among cities
- 3 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 11,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,410Median: $43,830Highest 10%: $54,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,410 | $17.02 | |
| 25th | $38,120 | $18.33 | |
| Median | $43,830 | $21.07 | |
| 75th | $49,190 | $23.65 | |
| 90th | $54,700 | $26.30 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Yakima, WA | $41,750 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $40,030 |
| Bremerton, WA | $39,400 |
| Portland, OR | $38,730 |
| Longview, WA | $38,460 |
| Kennewick, WA | $38,390 |
| Bellingham, WA | $38,240 |
| Olympia, WA | $37,950 |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $37,740 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $36,580 |
| Spokane, WA | $36,360 |
| Lewiston, ID | $35,780 |
Related jobs in Seattle
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $80,330 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $61,610 |
| Bartender | $58,180 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $57,280 |
| Cook | $53,910 |
| Cook | $51,530 |
| Cook | $50,870 |
| Cook | $47,730 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $45,120 |
| Cook | $44,030 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Seattle?
The median hourly pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $21.07 ($43,830 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Seattle than the national average?
Yes: $43,830 against $35,320 nationally, 24% more.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $40,910, so Seattle pays 7% more.
Where does Seattle rank for food preparation worker pay?
3 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,410 or less a year; the top 10% make $54,700 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.