Food Preparation Worker salary in Washington
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A food preparation worker in Washington earns a median of $40,910 a year ($19.67/hour equivalent), 15.8% above the national median of $35,320. Washington ranks #1 of 51 states. About 19,510 people do this job in Washington.
Take-home pay in Washington
At the Washington median, a single filer keeps about $34,484 a year after federal, FICA and Washington taxes — $1,326 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the Washington paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,573.46
- Federal income tax
- −$104.97
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$97.55
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$22.82
- Washington income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- WA Paid Family & Medical Leave
- −$12.70
- WA Cares Fund
- −$9.13
- Take-home pay
- $1,326.30
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $40,910
- Federal
- $2,729
- FICA
- $3,130
- State + local
- $567
- Net
- $34,484
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How Washington compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $40,910 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| #3 | California | $39,350 |
| #4 | Colorado | $38,960 |
| #5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| #49 | Kentucky | $26,850 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $26,240 |
| #51 | Louisiana | $23,620 |
See the national food preparation worker salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Food Preparation Workers (SOC 35-2021), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Washington?
The median salary is $40,910 a year and the average is $42,660 (BLS May 2025).
Is Washington a good state for food preparation workers?
Washington ranks #1 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 16% above the national median of $35,320.
What is $40,910 after taxes in Washington?
About $34,484 a year ($1,326 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.