How much does a cook make in Virginia Beach?
$36,280a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area. That is $17.44 an hour or $3,023 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.44
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 180 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 8,380
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,210Median: $36,280Highest 10%: $44,280
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,210 | $14.04 | |
| 25th | $30,350 | $14.59 | |
| Median | $36,280 | $17.44 | |
| 75th | $37,890 | $18.22 | |
| 90th | $44,280 | $21.29 |
Other cities in Virginia
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Washington, DC | $42,920 |
| Richmond, VA | $37,080 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $36,960 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $35,920 |
| Staunton, VA | $35,900 |
| Winchester, VA | $35,390 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $35,080 |
| Blacksburg, VA | $35,050 |
| Roanoke, VA | $34,920 |
| Kingsport, TN | $34,600 |
Related jobs in Virginia Beach
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,730 |
| Bartender | $46,700 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $41,800 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $39,020 |
| Cook | $38,440 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $36,780 |
| Food Server | $34,710 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,580 |
| Dishwasher | $29,770 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,330 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Virginia Beach?
The median hourly pay in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $17.44 ($36,280 a year).
Do cooks make more in Virginia Beach than the national average?
No: $36,280 against $37,390 nationally, 3% less.
How does Virginia Beach compare with the rest of Virginia?
The median in Virginia is $36,750, so Virginia Beach pays 1% less.
Where does Virginia Beach rank for cook pay?
180 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Virginia Beach?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,210 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,280 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.