How much does a cook make in Richmond?
$29,570a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Richmond, VA metro area. That is $14.22 an hour or $2,464 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.22
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 137 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 1,180
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,440Median: $29,570Highest 10%: $44,360
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,440 | $12.71 | |
| 25th | $28,590 | $13.75 | |
| Median | $29,570 | $14.22 | |
| 75th | $35,630 | $17.13 | |
| 90th | $44,360 | $21.33 |
Other cities in Virginia
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Washington, DC | $35,800 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $33,970 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $29,290 |
| Roanoke, VA | $29,160 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $28,680 |
| Winchester, VA | $28,430 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $28,380 |
| Kingsport, TN | $26,930 |
Related jobs in Richmond
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,730 |
| Bartender | $46,070 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,580 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $38,470 |
| Cook | $37,140 |
| Cook | $37,080 |
| Cook | $35,540 |
| Food Server | $34,960 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $33,980 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,650 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Richmond?
The median hourly pay in the Richmond, VA metro area is $14.22 ($29,570 a year).
Do cooks make more in Richmond than the national average?
No: $29,570 against $30,890 nationally, 4% less.
How does Richmond compare with the rest of Virginia?
The median in Virginia is $29,950, so Richmond pays 1% less.
Where does Richmond rank for cook pay?
137 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Richmond?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,440 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,360 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.