Food Preparation Workers pay in Washington
In Washington, the median pay for food preparation workers is $19.67 an hour ($40,910 a year). About 19,510 people work in this job there.
That is 16% higher than the U.S. median ($35,320). Washington ranks 1st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Washington
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.78 | $34,890 |
| 25% of workers | $17.25 | $35,880 |
| Half of workers (median) | $19.67 | $40,910 |
| 75% of workers | $22.79 | $47,390 |
| 90% of workers | $24.87 | $51,730 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Washington metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $43,830 | 11,060 |
| Yakima | $41,750 | 600 |
| Walla Walla | $40,030 | 210 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $39,400 | 580 |
| Longview-Kelso | $38,460 | 260 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $38,390 | 810 |
| Bellingham | $38,240 | 630 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $37,950 | 680 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $37,740 | 280 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $36,580 | 330 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $36,360 | 1,310 |
Washington unemployment rate: 4.9% (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
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,710 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,800 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $49,670 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $39,120 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,870 |
| Bakers | $46,140 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $41,420 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $76,010 |
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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.