EN

Language

Search
CostAnswer

Explore

Language

MethodologyAbout

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $39,200 ($18.85/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,200/year and the 90th was $45,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,425 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,200$18.85 per hour · $3,267 monthly
10th Percentile$37,200$17.88/hr base
25th Percentile$37,700$18.13/hr base
75th Percentile$43,600$20.96/hr base
90th Percentile$45,000$21.63/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 $39,000 a year leaves after tax in District of ColumbiaFederal tax, FICA and District of Columbia withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$19 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $39,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $39,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation District of Columbia publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about District of Columbia.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$39,200
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,200
Net 83%
Fed 6%
DC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,425After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,702Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,247Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,524 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$1,252 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,999 / yr
Customize deductions in full District of Columbia calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$30,938
25th Percentile$18.13/hr$3,142$37,700$31,310
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$32,425
75th Percentile$20.96/hr$3,633$43,600$35,697
90th Percentile$21.63/hr$3,750$45,000$36,738

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio30.9%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

Compare markets

Food Preparation Workers pay in other District of Columbia metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $39,200, which equates to approximately $3,267 per month or $18.85 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $18.85 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.63/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $37,200 at the 10th percentile to $37,700 at the 25th, $43,600 at the 75th, and $45,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $39,200, an estimated $32,425 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,247 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,775 (an effective rate of 17.3%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $39,200, gross monthly income is $3,267. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,702 per month (or $1,247 every two weeks).

Is $39,200 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $39,200, the median salary for food preparation workers is 30.9% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.