Food Preparation Workers Salary in Virginia
Food Preparation Workers in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $34,900 —1.2% below the national median of $35,320. That ranks VA #24 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.69× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,910 | $19.67 | 19,510 | 0.96 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 | $19.04 | 3,970 | 0.98 |
| 3 | California | $39,350 | $18.92 | 112,750 | 1.08 |
| 4 | Colorado | $38,960 | $18.73 | 12,080 | 0.73 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 | $18.70 | 13,620 | 0.65 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $38,160 | $18.35 | 5,950 | 1.65 |
| 7 | Oregon | $37,450 | $18.00 | 11,860 | 1.05 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $36,800 | $17.69 | 980 | 0.40 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $36,780 | $17.68 | 3,420 | 0.87 |
| 10 | Arizona | $36,750 | $17.67 | 16,590 | 0.89 |
Related occupations in Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,110 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,760 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,750 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,550 | $44,080 |
| Bartenders | $47,070 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,950 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation workers make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for food preparation workers in Virginia is $34,900, or $16.78 per hour. That is 1.2% below the national median of $35,320.
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $28,460 per year ($13.68/hour). The 25th percentile is $30,940.
How many people work as food preparation workers in Virginia?
About 16,340 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 4.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for food preparation workers?
Virginia ranks #24 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.69x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Which state pays food preparation workers the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $40,910 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($39,600) and California ($39,350).