Salaries › Food Prep Worker › District of Columbia
Food Prep Worker Salary in District of Columbia (2026)
$19.04 per hour · take-home ≈ $32,789/year ($2,732/month) for a single filer
Food Prep Worker pay range in District of Columbia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $37,510 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $38,070 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $39,600 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $44,040 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $45,370 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,970 Food Prep Worker jobs in District of Columbia (occupation code 35-2021, “Food Preparation Workers”).
Gross vs. take-home in District of Columbia
A median Food Prep Worker salary of $39,600 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus District of Columbia state income tax, a single filer keeps about $32,789 — an effective tax rate of 17.2%.
| Gross (median) | $39,600 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,572 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,029 |
| District of Columbia state income tax | −$1,210 |
| Take-home (annual) | $32,789 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,732 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free District of Columbia paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Food Prep Worker make in District of Columbia?
- The median Food Prep Worker salary in District of Columbia is $39,600 per year ($19.04 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $38,070 and $44,040.
- What is the take-home pay for a Food Prep Worker in District of Columbia?
- On the median salary of $39,600, a single filer in District of Columbia takes home about $32,789 per year ($2,732 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.2%.
- How many Food Prep Worker jobs are there in District of Columbia?
- BLS counts 3,970 Food Prep Worker jobs in District of Columbia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Food Prep Workers
Other salaries in District of Columbia
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified District of Columbia state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for District of Columbia.