Food Preparation Workers Salary in Bellingham, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bellingham, WA

Median annual salary $37,160 +8.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.86
10th percentile $33,860
90th percentile $48,100
Employed locally 740
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Bellingham, WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,860
    25th
    $35,050
    50th (median)
    $37,160
    75th
    $42,520
    90th
    $48,100

    Bellingham economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,989 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 46% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 54% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $39,360
    Washington $38,950
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $38,060
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $37,810

    Related occupations in Bellingham, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$35,680
    Waiters and Waitresses$46,100
    Cooks, Restaurant$41,240
    Bartenders$47,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$47,900
    Dishwashers$36,400

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Bellingham?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Bellingham, WA is $17.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.40 or more per hour.

    Is Bellingham above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Bellingham, WA is 8.6% above the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Bellingham?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $33,860 per year in Bellingham, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,050.