How much does a food preparation worker make in Charleston?
$27,970a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Charleston, WV metro area. That is $13.45 an hour or $2,331 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.45
- Vs. national median
- -21%
- Rank among cities
- 337 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 310
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,970Median: $27,970Highest 10%: $36,960
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,970 | $10.56 | |
| 25th | $22,790 | $10.96 | |
| Median | $27,970 | $13.45 | |
| 75th | $31,540 | $15.16 | |
| 90th | $36,960 | $17.77 |
Other cities in West Virginia
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Washington, DC | $37,630 |
| Winchester, VA | $31,620 |
| Hagerstown, MD | $31,290 |
| Morgantown, WV | $30,620 |
| Beckley, WV | $29,290 |
| Wheeling, WV | $29,040 |
| Weirton, WV | $27,980 |
| Parkersburg, WV | $27,370 |
| Huntington, WV | $24,960 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,900 |
| Bartender | $30,900 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $30,450 |
| Food Server | $30,330 |
| Cook | $30,050 |
| Cook | $29,450 |
| Cook | $27,590 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,360 |
| Dishwasher | $26,440 |
| Host and Hostess | $25,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston, WV metro area is $13.45 ($27,970 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $27,970 against $35,320 nationally, 21% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of West Virginia?
The median in West Virginia is $28,360, so Charleston pays 1% less.
Where does Charleston rank for food preparation worker pay?
337 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,970 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,960 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.