Food Preparation Workers pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for food preparation workers is $18.09 an hour ($37,630 a year). About 14,810 people work in this job there.
That is 7% higher than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 5% lower than the District of Columbia median ($39,600).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.07 | $31,340 |
| 25% of workers | $17.15 | $35,670 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.09 | $37,630 |
| 75% of workers | $20.28 | $42,190 |
| 90% of workers | $21.64 | $45,010 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page) | $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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,600 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,920 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,260 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,800 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,540 |
| Bakers | $38,650 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,880 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $74,900 |
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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.