Food Preparation Worker salary in Beckley, WV
Food Preparation Workers in the Beckley, WV metro area earn a median of $29,290 a year ($14.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,820 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $28,360. There are 5.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,910, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Beckley, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,230 | $10.21 |
| 25th percentile | $22,890 | $11.01 |
| Median | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| 75th percentile | $31,380 | $15.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Average (mean) | $27,910 | $13.42 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $2,440.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,220.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,126.54 |
| Weekly | $563.27 |
| Hourly | $14.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,630 | 14,810 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $31,620 | 230 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $31,290 | 560 |
| Morgantown, WV | $30,620 | 370 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $29,040 | 310 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $27,980 | 160 |
| Charleston, WV | $27,970 | 310 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $27,370 | 160 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $24,960 | 850 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Beckley, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,370 | $10.76 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,630 | $14.25 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $33,650 | $16.18 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $25,950 | $12.47 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| Bartender | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,050 | $11.56 |
| Dishwasher | $25,150 | $12.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,710 | $11.40 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Beckley, WV
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Beckley, WV?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Beckley, WV metro area is $29,290 a year, or $14.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Beckley, WV?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Beckley, WV metro area earn at least $33,820 a year. The top 25% earn $31,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Beckley, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,230 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,890 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Beckley, WV?
About 250 food preparation workers are employed in the Beckley, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.