Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA

In the Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $39,700 ($19.09/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,900/year and the 90th was $50,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,079 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,700$19.09 per hour · $3,308 monthly
10th Percentile$33,900$16.30/hr base
25th Percentile$34,800$16.73/hr base
75th Percentile$46,000$22.12/hr base
90th Percentile$50,200$24.13/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

$39,700
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,700
Net 86%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,079After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,840Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,311Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,584 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,037 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, 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 Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$16.30/hr$2,825$33,900$29,419
25th Percentile$16.73/hr$2,900$34,800$30,142
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.09/hr$3,308$39,700$34,079
75th Percentile$22.12/hr$3,833$46,000$39,141
90th Percentile$24.13/hr$4,183$50,200$42,516

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,938Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.93.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.5%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 Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA is $39,700, which equates to approximately $3,308 per month or $19.09 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA is $19.09 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.30/hour and one in ten earned more than $24.13/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA span from $33,900 at the 10th percentile to $34,800 at the 25th, $46,000 at the 75th, and $50,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA?

On a median gross salary of $39,700, an estimated $34,079 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,311 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,621 (an effective rate of 14.2%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA?

On the median annual salary of $39,700, gross monthly income is $3,308. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,840 per month (or $1,311 every two weeks).

Is $39,700 a good salary in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA?

At $39,700, the median salary for food preparation workers is 48.5% of the Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA median household income ($81,938). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.9, making regional consumer goods and services 3.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.