Food Preparation Worker Salary in Washington, DC
Updated
The median food preparation worker in the Washington area earns $37,630 a year ($18.09 an hour), 7% above the U.S. median ($35,320). Half of the 14,810 food preparation workers there earn between $35,670 and $42,190.
Median $37,630
10th: $31,34090th: $45,010
| Annual pay | Washington area | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,340 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $35,670 | $29,950 |
| Median | $37,630 | $35,320 |
| 75th percentile | $42,190 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $45,010 | $45,340 |
| Average | $38,690 | $35,290 |
| Jobs | 14,810 | 893,600 |
Washington, DC ranks 11th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for food preparation worker pay. Highest: San Jose, CA ($45,580).
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Check my payFood preparation worker pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $45,580
- Seattle, WA: $43,830
- San Francisco, CA: $41,000
- Los Angeles, CA: $39,770
- Boston, MA: $39,660
- Denver, CO: $39,470
- San Diego, CA: $38,780
- Portland, OR: $38,730
- All cities
Similar jobs in Washington, DC
- Restaurant Cook: $42,920
- Fast Food Worker: $34,600
- Waiter: $46,040
- Food Service Supervisor: $47,580
- Bartender: $48,030
- All jobs in Washington, DC
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.