Food Preparation Worker salary in Washington
Food Preparation Workers in Washington earn a median of $40,910 a year ($19.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,730 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $35,320. Washington ranks 1st of 51 states for food preparation workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 5.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,890 | $16.78 |
| 25th percentile | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Median | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| 75th percentile | $47,390 | $22.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,730 | $24.87 |
| Average (mean) | $42,660 | $20.51 |
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 | $3,409.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,704.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,573.46 |
| Weekly | $786.73 |
| Hourly | $19.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Washington
| 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 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $36,580 | 330 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $36,360 | 1,310 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $35,780 | 170 |
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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Cooks, All Other | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $56,130 | $26.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Bartender | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Dishwasher | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $76,010 | $36.54 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Washington is $40,910 a year, or $19.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Washington?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Washington earn at least $51,730 a year. The top 25% earn $47,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,890 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $35,880 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Washington?
About 19,510 food preparation workers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.