Food Preparation Workers pay in District of Columbia
In District of Columbia, the median pay for food preparation workers is $19.04 an hour ($39,600 a year). About 3,970 people work in this job there.
That is 12% higher than the U.S. median ($35,320). District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in District of Columbia
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.03 | $37,510 |
| 25% of workers | $18.30 | $38,070 |
| Half of workers (median) | $19.04 | $39,600 |
| 75% of workers | $21.17 | $44,040 |
| 90% of workers | $21.81 | $45,370 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $37,630 | 14,810 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,130 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,430 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $39,080 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $44,670 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $76,420 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,450 |
| Bakers | $44,040 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.