Food Preparation Workers Salary in Kennewick, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Kennewick-Richland, WA

Median annual salary $37,330 +9.1% vs national
Median hourly $17.95
10th percentile $33,970
90th percentile $44,850
Employed locally 760
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Kennewick, WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,970
    25th
    $34,970
    50th (median)
    $37,330
    75th
    $40,390
    90th
    $44,850

    Kennewick economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $85,881 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 43% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 57% 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 Kennewick, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,480
    Waiters and Waitresses $46,390
    Cooks, Restaurant $39,340
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,360
    Bartenders $46,780
    Cooks, Fast Food $34,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Kennewick, WA is $17.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.94 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Kennewick, WA is 9.1% 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 Kennewick?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $33,970 per year in Kennewick, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,970.