How much does a food preparation worker make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $18.09 an hour or $3,136 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.09
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 42 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 14,810
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,340 | $15.07 | |
| 25th | $35,670 | $17.15 | |
| Median | $37,630 | $18.09 | |
| 75th | $42,190 | $20.28 | |
| 90th | $45,010 | $21.64 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for food preparation 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 and Serving Related Worker | $38,590 |
| Food Server | $37,540 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $37,260 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $18.09 ($37,630 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $37,630 against $35,320 nationally, 7% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $39,600, so Washington pays 5% less.
Where does Washington rank for food preparation worker pay?
42 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,340 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,010 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.