Food Preparation Workers Salary in Walla Walla, WA

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

Median annual salary $34,580 +1.1% vs national
Median hourly $16.62
10th percentile $33,860
90th percentile $43,740
Employed locally 160
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Walla Walla, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,860
    25th
    $33,860
    50th (median)
    $34,580
    75th
    $38,700
    90th
    $43,740

    Walla Walla economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,212 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 48% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 52% 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 Walla Walla, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,190
    Waiters and Waitresses $44,590
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,950
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $46,300
    Bartenders $44,290
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant $35,350

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Walla Walla, WA is $16.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.56 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Walla Walla, WA is 1.1% 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 Walla Walla?

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