Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

In the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $39,600 ($19.04/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,800/year and the 90th was $50,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $33,999 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,600$19.04 per hour · $3,300 monthly
10th Percentile$33,800$16.25/hr base
25th Percentile$34,800$16.73/hr base
75th Percentile$45,900$22.07/hr base
90th Percentile$50,100$24.09/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 Pay Explorer

$39,600
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,600
Net 86%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,999After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,833Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,308Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,572 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,029 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, 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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$16.25/hr$2,817$33,800$29,338
25th Percentile$16.73/hr$2,900$34,800$30,142
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.04/hr$3,300$39,600$33,999
75th Percentile$22.07/hr$3,825$45,900$39,061
90th Percentile$24.09/hr$4,175$50,100$42,435

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$96,563Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.73.7% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA is $39,600, which equates to approximately $3,300 per month or $19.04 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA is $19.04 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.25/hour and one in ten earned more than $24.09/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA span from $33,800 at the 10th percentile to $34,800 at the 25th, $45,900 at the 75th, and $50,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

On a median gross salary of $39,600, an estimated $33,999 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,308 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,601 (an effective rate of 14.1%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

On the median annual salary of $39,600, gross monthly income is $3,300. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,833 per month (or $1,308 every two weeks).

Is $39,600 a good salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

At $39,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 41% of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA median household income ($96,563). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.7, making regional consumer goods and services 3.7% more expensive than the U.S. average.