Food Preparation Workers Salary in District of Columbia
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for food preparation workers in District of Columbia was $39,600 +12.1% vs national
District of Columbia vs United States
| District of Columbia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $39,600 | $35,320 |
| Median hourly | $19.04 | $16.98 |
| Employment | 3,970 | 893,600 |
| Location quotient | 0.98 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (District of Columbia) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
A closer look
At $19.04 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $39,603 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $39,600.
The median wage in District of Columbia is 12.1% above the national median — a difference of about $4,280 per year for a typical worker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average food preparation workers salary in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage in District of Columbia is $39,600 ($19.04 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for food preparation workers?
The District of Columbia median of $39,600 is 12.1% higher than the U.S. median of $35,320.
How many food preparation workers work in District of Columbia?
Approximately 3,970 are employed in District of Columbia, per BLS OES.