Food Preparation Worker Salary in Washington, DC
Food Preparation Workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $37,630 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,324 take-home, or $2,610 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,336
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,333
- Medicare (1.45%)$546
- District of Columbia income tax$1,092
- Take-home pay$31,324
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Food Preparation Worker pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,340 | $15.07 | $26,647 | $2,221 |
| 25th percentile | $35,670 | $17.15 | $29,867 | $2,489 |
| Median (50th) | $37,630 | $18.09 | $31,324 | $2,610 |
| 75th percentile | $42,190 | $20.28 | $34,714 | $2,893 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,010 | $21.64 | $36,811 | $3,068 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,630 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $31,324 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,768 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Food Preparation Worker jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for food preparation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #41 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $45,580 | $37,398 | $33,868 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $43,830 | $37,397 | $33,651 |
| 3 | Omaha, NE | $36,140 | $30,454 | $33,134 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $36,930 | $31,620 | $33,121 |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $35,360 | $30,402 | $32,369 |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $36,730 | $31,693 | $31,857 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $34,390 | $29,812 | $31,476 |
| 8 | North Port, FL | $37,320 | $32,167 | $31,408 |
| 41 | Washington, DC | $37,630 | $31,324 | $28,768 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
About the job: food preparation workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -3.0% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Washington, DC?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $37,630 a year, or about $18.09 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,670 and $42,190.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $37,630 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $31,324 a year ($2,610 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,092 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a food preparation worker?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $35,320. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,768 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #41 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 76% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Chef and Head Cook — $74,900
- Bartender — $48,030
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $47,580
- Waiter and Waitress — $46,040
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $44,880
- Cooks, Restaurant — $42,920
- Cooks, Short Order — $39,650
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $37,540
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $37,260
- Dishwasher — $37,010
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $36,360
- Cooks, Fast Food — $35,800