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Food Preparation Workers Salary in Washington

Food Preparation Workers in Washington earn a median $40,910 a year, 16% above the U.S. median.

Median in WA
$40,910 a year
U.S. median
$35,320 a year
Employment
19,510
Location quotient
0.96
Share of jobs vs. U.S. (1.00 = same)

Pay range in Washington

10%: $34,890Median: $40,91090%: $51,730
Median (50%)
$40,910 · $19.67 an hour
Mean (average)
$42,660 · $20.51 an hour (estimate error ±1.9%)
10th percentile
$34,890 · $16.78 an hour
25th percentile
$35,880 · $17.25 an hour
75th percentile
$47,390 · $22.79 an hour
90th percentile
$51,730 · $24.87 an hour
Employment
19,510 (estimate error ±10.9%)
Jobs per 1,000
5.50
Location quotient
0.96 (1.00 = national share)

Food Preparation Workers pay by metro area in Washington

Includes metro areas that cross into this state and nonmetropolitan areas

Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.

AreaMedian wageEmployment
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$43,83011,060
Yakima, WA$41,750600
Walla Walla, WA$40,030210
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA$39,400580
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$38,7306,870
Longview-Kelso, WA$38,460260
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area$38,410750
Kennewick-Richland, WA$38,390810
Bellingham, WA$38,240630
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA$37,950680
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA$37,740280
Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area$37,440880
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA$36,580330
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA$36,3601,310
Lewiston, ID-WA$35,780170

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Frequently asked questions

How much do food preparation workers make in Washington?
The median wage for food preparation workers in Washington is $40,910 a year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). There are about 19,510 jobs in the state.
Where in Washington do food preparation workers earn the most?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has the highest median wage in the state for this occupation at $43,830 a year.