Food Preparation Worker salary in Lewiston, ID-WA
Food Preparation Workers in the Lewiston, ID-WA metro area earn a median of $35,780 a year ($17.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,950 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 14% higher than the Idaho statewide median of $31,510. There are 6.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,960, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Lewiston, ID-WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,360 | $10.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| Median | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| 75th percentile | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| Average (mean) | $33,960 | $16.33 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,981.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,490.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,376.15 |
| Weekly | $688.08 |
| Hourly | $17.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $43,830 | 11,060 |
| Yakima, WA | $41,750 | 600 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $40,030 | 210 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $39,400 | 580 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $38,730 | 6,870 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $38,460 | 260 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $38,390 | 810 |
| Bellingham, WA | $38,240 | 630 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $37,950 | 680 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $37,740 | 280 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $36,830 | 480 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $36,580 | 330 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $36,360 | 1,310 |
| Boise City, ID | $35,340 | 1,830 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $30,490 | 400 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $30,400 | 450 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $29,960 | 290 |
| Pocatello, ID | $29,290 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Idaho statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lewiston, ID-WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,270 | $16.47 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,240 | $17.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| Bartender | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| Dishwasher | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,510 | $14.67 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lewiston, ID-WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Lewiston, ID-WA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Lewiston, ID-WA metro area is $35,780 a year, or $17.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Lewiston, ID-WA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Lewiston, ID-WA metro area earn at least $45,950 a year. The top 25% earn $36,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Lewiston, ID-WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,360 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,180 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Lewiston, ID-WA?
About 170 food preparation workers are employed in the Lewiston, ID-WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.