Food Preparation Workers Salary in Roanoke, VA

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

Median annual salary $29,240 -14.6% vs national
Median hourly $14.06
10th percentile $25,560
90th percentile $37,150
Employed locally 450
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Roanoke, VA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,560
    25th
    $27,650
    50th (median)
    $29,240
    75th
    $33,360
    90th
    $37,150

    Roanoke economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,447 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 43% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 57% 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 Roanoke, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,990
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,940
    Cooks, Restaurant $33,670
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,130
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,770
    Bartenders $48,260

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Roanoke, VA is $14.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.33 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Roanoke, VA is 14.6% 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 Roanoke?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $25,560 per year in Roanoke, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,650.