Food Preparation Workers Salary in Virginia
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for food preparation workers in Virginia was $34,900 -1.2% vs national
Virginia vs United States
| Virginia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $34,900 | $35,320 |
| Median hourly | $16.78 | $16.98 |
| Employment | 16,340 | 893,600 |
| Location quotient | 0.69 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (Virginia) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
The numbers in context
The mean wage of $34,930 sits 0.1% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
At $16.78 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $34,902 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $34,900.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average food preparation workers salary in Virginia?
The median annual wage in Virginia is $34,900 ($16.78 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for food preparation workers?
The Virginia median of $34,900 is 1.2% lower than the U.S. median of $35,320.
How many food preparation workers work in Virginia?
Approximately 16,340 are employed in Virginia, per BLS OES.