How much does a food preparation worker make in Charlottesville?
$34,210a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area. That is $16.45 an hour or $2,851 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.45
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 164 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 400
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,490Median: $34,210Highest 10%: $43,360
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,490 | $13.70 | |
| 25th | $31,190 | $15.00 | |
| Median | $34,210 | $16.45 | |
| 75th | $37,450 | $18.00 | |
| 90th | $43,360 | $20.85 |
Other cities in Virginia
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Washington, DC | $37,630 |
| Richmond, VA | $33,650 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $32,580 |
| Staunton, VA | $32,210 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $32,150 |
| Winchester, VA | $31,620 |
| Blacksburg, VA | $31,200 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $30,800 |
| Roanoke, VA | $30,790 |
| Kingsport, TN | $28,020 |
Related jobs in Charlottesville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,990 |
| Bartender | $48,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,800 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $44,030 |
| Cook | $38,510 |
| Cook | $36,960 |
| Food Server | $34,250 |
| Cook | $33,970 |
| Dishwasher | $33,090 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $33,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Charlottesville?
The median hourly pay in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $16.45 ($34,210 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Charlottesville than the national average?
No: $34,210 against $35,320 nationally, 3% less.
How does Charlottesville compare with the rest of Virginia?
The median in Virginia is $34,900, so Charlottesville pays 2% less.
Where does Charlottesville rank for food preparation worker pay?
164 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Charlottesville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,490 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,360 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.