Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$42,500$20.43 per hour · $3,542 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (WA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $17.40/hr | $3,017 | $36,200 | $31,267 |
| 25th Percentile | $17.93/hr | $3,108 | $37,300 | $32,151 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $20.43/hr | $3,542 | $42,500 | $36,329 |
| 75th Percentile | $23.65/hr | $4,100 | $49,200 | $41,712 |
| 90th Percentile | $25.82/hr | $4,475 | $53,700 | $45,328 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,500 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Washington:
Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $42,500, which equates to approximately $3,542 per month or $20.43 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $20.43 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.40/hour and one in ten earned more than $25.82/hour.
What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA span from $36,200 at the 10th percentile to $37,300 at the 25th, $49,200 at the 75th, and $53,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
On a median gross salary of $42,500, an estimated $36,329 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,397 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,171 (an effective rate of 14.5%).
How much do food preparation workers make per month in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
On the median annual salary of $42,500, gross monthly income is $3,542. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,027 per month (or $1,397 every two weeks).
Is $42,500 a good salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
At $42,500, the median salary for food preparation workers is 36.9% of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA median household income ($115,177). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.1, making regional consumer goods and services 11.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.