Salaries › Food Prep Worker › Washington
Food Prep Worker Salary in Washington (2026)
$19.67 per hour · take-home ≈ $35,051/year ($2,921/month) for a single filer
Food Prep Worker pay range in Washington
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $34,890 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $35,880 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $40,910 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $47,390 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $51,730 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 19,510 Food Prep Worker jobs in Washington (occupation code 35-2021, “Food Preparation Workers”).
Gross vs. take-home in Washington
A median Food Prep Worker salary of $40,910 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Washington), a single filer keeps about $35,051 — an effective tax rate of 14.3%.
| Gross (median) | $40,910 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,729 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,130 |
| Washington state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $35,051 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,921 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Washington paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Food Prep Worker make in Washington?
- The median Food Prep Worker salary in Washington is $40,910 per year ($19.67 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $35,880 and $47,390.
- What is the take-home pay for a Food Prep Worker in Washington?
- On the median salary of $40,910, a single filer in Washington takes home about $35,051 per year ($2,921 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 14.3%.
- How many Food Prep Worker jobs are there in Washington?
- BLS counts 19,510 Food Prep Worker jobs in Washington in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Food Prep Workers
Other salaries in Washington
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 Washington 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 Washington.