Food Preparation Workers Salary in Harrisonburg, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Harrisonburg, VA

Median annual salary $30,490 -10.9% vs national
Median hourly $14.66
10th percentile $26,780
90th percentile $38,800
Employed locally 200
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Harrisonburg, VA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,780
    25th
    $28,030
    50th (median)
    $30,490
    75th
    $34,720
    90th
    $38,800

    Harrisonburg economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,145 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 42% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 58% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Vallejo, CA $37,790
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $37,270
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $36,220
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $36,120
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $35,370

    Related occupations in Harrisonburg, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,060
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,970
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $43,410
    Bartenders $42,530
    Cooks, Fast Food $28,420

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Harrisonburg?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Harrisonburg, VA is $14.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.43 or more per hour.

    Is Harrisonburg above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Harrisonburg, VA is 10.9% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Harrisonburg?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,780 per year in Harrisonburg, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,030.