Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA

In the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $38,400 ($18.46/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,700/year and the 90th was $48,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $33,034 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,400$18.46 per hour · $3,200 monthly
10th Percentile$32,700$15.72/hr base
25th Percentile$33,600$16.15/hr base
75th Percentile$44,400$21.35/hr base
90th Percentile$48,500$23.32/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

$38,400
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,400
Net 86%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,034After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,753Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,271Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,428 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,938 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Spokane-Spokane Valley, 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 Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$15.72/hr$2,725$32,700$28,454
25th Percentile$16.15/hr$2,800$33,600$29,178
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.46/hr$3,200$38,400$33,034
75th Percentile$21.35/hr$3,700$44,400$37,855
90th Percentile$23.32/hr$4,042$48,500$41,150

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$77,488Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.30.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio49.6%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 Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA is $38,400, which equates to approximately $3,200 per month or $18.46 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA is $18.46 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.72/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.32/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA span from $32,700 at the 10th percentile to $33,600 at the 25th, $44,400 at the 75th, and $48,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?

On a median gross salary of $38,400, an estimated $33,034 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,271 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,366 (an effective rate of 14%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?

On the median annual salary of $38,400, gross monthly income is $3,200. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,753 per month (or $1,271 every two weeks).

Is $38,400 a good salary in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?

At $38,400, the median salary for food preparation workers is 49.6% of the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA median household income ($77,488). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.3, making regional consumer goods and services 0.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.