Food Preparation Workers Salary in Washington
Food Preparation Workers in Washington earn a median annual wage of $40,910 —15.8% above the national median of $35,320. That ranks WA #1 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.96×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Washington is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,910 | $19.67 | 19,510 | 0.96 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 | $19.04 | 3,970 | 0.98 |
| 3 | California | $39,350 | $18.92 | 112,750 | 1.08 |
| 4 | Colorado | $38,960 | $18.73 | 12,080 | 0.73 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 | $18.70 | 13,620 | 0.65 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $38,160 | $18.35 | 5,950 | 1.65 |
| 7 | Oregon | $37,450 | $18.00 | 11,860 | 1.05 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $36,800 | $17.69 | 980 | 0.40 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $36,780 | $17.68 | 3,420 | 0.87 |
| 10 | Arizona | $36,750 | $17.67 | 16,590 | 0.89 |
Related occupations in Washington
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Washington.
| Occupation | Washington median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,710 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $56,130 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,800 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $59,400 | $44,080 |
| Bartenders | $55,830 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $39,120 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation workers make in Washington?
The median annual wage for food preparation workers in Washington is $40,910, or $19.67 per hour. That is 15.8% above the national median of $35,320.
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Washington?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $34,890 per year ($16.78/hour). The 25th percentile is $35,880.
How many people work as food preparation workers in Washington?
About 19,510 people work in this occupation in Washington, or 5.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Washington a good state for food preparation workers?
Washington ranks #1 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.96x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays food preparation workers the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $40,910 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($39,600) and California ($39,350).