SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Walla Walla
Walla Walla, WA · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Walla Walla, WA comes to $40,030 a year, ahead of the national median of $35,320 by 13.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Walla Walla, WA comes to $40,030 a year, ahead of the national median of $35,320 by 13.3%. Pay ranges from under $34,650 at the tenth percentile to more than $44,850 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $34,650 to $44,850.
The area has 210 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.42 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Seattle records the highest median at $43,830. Of the 162 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 143rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,650 | −1.9% |
| 25th | $34,650 | −1.9% |
| Median (50th) | $40,030 | +13.3% |
| 75th | $44,850 | +27.0% |
| 90th | $44,850 | +27.0% |
| Mean | $39,820 | +12.7% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $43,830 | 11,060 | |
| 2 | Yakima | $41,750 | 600 | |
| 3 | Bremerton | $39,400 | 580 | |
| 4 | Longview | $38,460 | 260 | |
| 5 | Kennewick | $38,390 | 810 | |
| 6 | Bellingham | $38,240 | 630 | |
| 7 | Olympia | $37,950 | 680 | |
| 8 | Mount Vernon | $37,740 | 280 | |
| 9 | Wenatchee | $36,580 | 330 | |
| 10 | Spokane | $36,360 | 1,310 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Walla Walla run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $40,030 buys what $37,411 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 5.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,030as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$37,411US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,030 a year, 13.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,650 to $44,850 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 210 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Seattle, at $43,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Walla Walla, WA?
The median annual wage is $40,030, or $19.25 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,320, so pay in Walla Walla, WA is 13.3% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Walla Walla, WA earns more than $44,850 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,650 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Seattle, at $43,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 210 jobs in this occupation in Walla Walla, WA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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