Food Preparation Workers Salary in Southern West Virginia

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

Median annual salary $26,140 -23.6% vs national
Median hourly $12.57
10th percentile $20,800
90th percentile $34,230
Employed locally 350
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
Southern West Virginia
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,800
    25th
    $22,130
    50th (median)
    $26,140
    75th
    $29,540
    90th
    $34,230

    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 Southern West Virginia

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food$22,410
    Waiters and Waitresses$28,810
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,460
    Cooks, Restaurant$28,130
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$29,240
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$27,920

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southern West Virginia is $12.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.18 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Southern West Virginia is 23.6% 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 Southern West Virginia?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $20,800 per year in Southern West Virginia. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,130.