Food Preparation Workers Salary in Olympia, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

Median annual salary $37,810 +10.5% vs national
Median hourly $18.18
10th percentile $33,860
90th percentile $48,610
Employed locally 770
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Olympia, WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,860
    25th
    $34,990
    50th (median)
    $37,810
    75th
    $43,590
    90th
    $48,610

    Olympia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 40% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 60% 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
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $37,570

    Related occupations in Olympia, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,710
    Waiters and Waitresses $46,280
    Cooks, Restaurant $39,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $48,030
    Bartenders $46,020
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $34,790

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Olympia, WA is $18.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.26 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Olympia, WA is 10.5% 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 Olympia?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $33,860 per year in Olympia, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,990.