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Kennewick-Richland, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA

In the Kennewick-Richland, WA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $38,300 ($18.41/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,600/year and the 90th was $48,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,954 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,300$18.41 per hour · $3,192 monthly
10th Percentile$32,600$15.67/hr base
25th Percentile$33,600$16.15/hr base
75th Percentile$44,300$21.30/hr base
90th Percentile$48,400$23.27/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $38,000 a year leaves after tax in WashingtonFederal tax, FICA and Washington withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $38,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $38,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Washington publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Washington.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$38,300
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,300
Net 86%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,954After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,746Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,267Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,416 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,930 / yr
Customize deductions in full Washington calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Kennewick-Richland, WA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$15.67/hr$2,717$32,600$28,374
25th Percentile$16.15/hr$2,800$33,600$29,178
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$32,954
75th Percentile$21.30/hr$3,692$44,300$37,775
90th Percentile$23.27/hr$4,033$48,400$41,069

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Kennewick-Richland, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$89,010Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.10.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Washington:

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Washington metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Kennewick-Richland, WA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Kennewick-Richland, WA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Kennewick-Richland, WA is $38,300, which equates to approximately $3,192 per month or $18.41 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Kennewick-Richland, WA is $18.41 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.67/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.27/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Kennewick-Richland, WA span from $32,600 at the 10th percentile to $33,600 at the 25th, $44,300 at the 75th, and $48,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

On a median gross salary of $38,300, an estimated $32,954 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,267 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,346 (an effective rate of 14%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

On the median annual salary of $38,300, gross monthly income is $3,192. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,746 per month (or $1,267 every two weeks).

Is $38,300 a good salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

At $38,300, the median salary for food preparation workers is 43% of the Kennewick-Richland, WA median household income ($89,010). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.1, making regional consumer goods and services 0.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.