How much does a food preparation worker make in Washington?
$40,910a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in Washington. That is $19.67 an hour or $3,409 a month.
- Hourly
- $19.67
- Vs. national median
- +16%
- Rank among states
- 1 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 19,510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,890Median: $40,910Highest 10%: $51,730
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,890 | $16.77 | |
| 25th | $35,880 | $17.25 | |
| Median | $40,910 | $19.67 | |
| 75th | $47,390 | $22.78 | |
| 90th | $51,730 | $24.87 |
Cities in Washington
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Seattle, WA | $43,830 |
| 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 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food preparation workers.
| 1. Washington | $40,910 |
| 2. District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| 3. California | $39,350 |
| 4. Colorado | $38,960 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in Washington is $19.67 ($40,910 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $40,910 against $35,320 nationally, 16% more.
Where does Washington rank for food preparation worker pay?
Washington ranks 1 of 51 states.
Which city in Washington pays food preparation workers the most?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, with a median of $43,830 a year.
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.