Food Preparation Workers Salary in Staunton, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA

Median annual salary $30,510 -10.8% vs national
Median hourly $14.67
10th percentile $27,260
90th percentile $38,620
Employed locally 170
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Staunton, VA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,260
    25th
    $28,580
    50th (median)
    $30,510
    75th
    $34,200
    90th
    $38,620

    Staunton economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,949 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 Staunton, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,470
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,260
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,530
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,280
    Bartenders $36,260
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $32,760

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Staunton, VA is $14.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.12 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Staunton, VA is 10.8% 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 Staunton?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $27,260 per year in Staunton, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,580.