How much does a food preparation worker make in Richmond?
$33,650a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Richmond, VA metro area. That is $16.18 an hour or $2,804 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.18
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 177 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 2,890
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,210Median: $33,650Highest 10%: $38,390
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,210 | $14.04 | |
| 25th | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| Median | $33,650 | $16.18 | |
| 75th | $36,120 | $17.37 | |
| 90th | $38,390 | $18.46 |
Other cities in Virginia
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Washington, DC | $37,630 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $34,210 |
| 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 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 |
| Dishwasher | $31,370 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Richmond?
The median hourly pay in the Richmond, VA metro area is $16.18 ($33,650 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Richmond than the national average?
No: $33,650 against $35,320 nationally, 5% less.
How does Richmond compare with the rest of Virginia?
The median in Virginia is $34,900, so Richmond pays 4% less.
Where does Richmond rank for food preparation worker pay?
177 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Richmond?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,210 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,390 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.