Food Preparation Workers Salary in Northeast Virginia

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $29,720 -13.2% vs national
Median hourly $14.29
10th percentile $24,960
90th percentile $34,770
Employed locally 190
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Northeast Virginia stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
Northeast Virginia
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,960
    25th
    $27,760
    50th (median)
    $29,720
    75th
    $30,930
    90th
    $34,770

    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

    Related occupations in Northeast Virginia

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,500
    Waiters and Waitresses $32,880
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,910
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,440
    Bartenders $36,550
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $33,690

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Northeast Virginia?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Northeast Virginia is $14.29, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.99 or more per hour.

    Is Northeast Virginia above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Northeast Virginia is 13.2% 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 Northeast Virginia?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $24,960 per year in Northeast Virginia. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,760.