Cooks, Short Order salary in Roanoke, VA
Cooks, Short Order in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $29,260 a year ($14.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,240 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay here is 6% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $31,200. There are 0.83 cooks, short order per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,810 | $12.41 |
| 25th percentile | $26,180 | $12.59 |
| Median | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| 75th percentile | $31,130 | $14.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Average (mean) | $30,020 | $14.44 |
Half of cooks, short order earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,438.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,219.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,125.38 |
| Weekly | $562.69 |
| Hourly | $14.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Short Order salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $39,650 | 3,850 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $30,670 | 60 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $30,510 | 120 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $30,160 | 70 |
| Richmond, VA | $29,280 | 300 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $27,830 | 810 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, short order
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,630 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 |
| California | $42,930 |
| Washington | $42,760 |
| Colorado | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 |
See Cooks, Short Order pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,790 | $14.80 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,440 | $18.96 |
| Bartender | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Dishwasher | $28,790 | $13.84 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,160 | $13.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,590 | $13.74 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,010 | $15.39 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,350 | $27.57 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2015. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, short order make in Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for cooks, short order in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $29,260 a year, or $14.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $36,240 a year. The top 25% earn $31,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,810 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $26,180 or less.
How many cooks, short order work in Roanoke, VA?
About 130 cooks, short order are employed in the Roanoke, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.