How much does a food preparation worker make in Virginia?
$34,900a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in Virginia. That is $16.78 an hour or $2,908 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.78
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among states
- 24 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 16,340
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,460Median: $34,900Highest 10%: $42,480
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,460 | $13.68 | |
| 25th | $30,940 | $14.88 | |
| Median | $34,900 | $16.78 | |
| 75th | $37,310 | $17.94 | |
| 90th | $42,480 | $20.42 |
Cities in Virginia
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Washington, DC | $37,630 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $34,210 |
| 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 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food preparation workers.
| 21. Rhode Island | $35,470 |
| 22. Georgia | $35,250 |
| 23. Nebraska | $35,210 |
| 24. Virginia | $34,900 |
| 25. Illinois | $34,850 |
| 26. Minnesota | $34,850 |
| 27. Ohio | $34,530 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Virginia?
The median hourly pay in Virginia is $16.78 ($34,900 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Virginia than the national average?
No: $34,900 against $35,320 nationally, 1% less.
Where does Virginia rank for food preparation worker pay?
Virginia ranks 24 of 51 states.
Which city in Virginia pays food preparation workers the most?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, with a median of $37,630 a year.
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.