Quick answer
Food Preparation Workers in District of Columbia earned a median of $39,600 a year ($19.04 an hour) in May 2025, 12% above the national median of $35,320; 3,970 were employed there, ranking #2 of 54 states and territories by median pay, per BLS OEWS.
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| Measure | District of Columbia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $39,600 | $35,320 |
| Mean annual wage | $41,350 | $35,290 |
| Median hourly wage | $19.04 | $16.98 |
| 10th percentile | $37,510 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $38,070 | $29,950 |
| 75th percentile | $44,040 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $45,370 | $45,340 |
| Employment | 3,970 | 893,600 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 5.655 | — |
| Location quotient | 0.98 | 1.00 |
Related
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Colorado (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Connecticut (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Delaware (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Florida (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Georgia (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Guam (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Hawaii (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Idaho (May 2025)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.