Food Preparation Worker salary in Morgantown, WV
Food Preparation Workers in the Morgantown, WV metro area earn a median of $30,620 a year ($14.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,830 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 8% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $28,360. There are 5.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,150, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Morgantown, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,490 | $10.81 |
| 25th percentile | $27,950 | $13.44 |
| Median | $30,620 | $14.72 |
| 75th percentile | $31,680 | $15.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,830 | $16.75 |
| Average (mean) | $30,150 | $14.49 |
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 | $2,551.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,275.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,177.69 |
| Weekly | $588.85 |
| Hourly | $14.72 |
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 |
| Beckley, WV | $29,290 | 250 |
| 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 Morgantown, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,770 | $15.27 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,210 | $14.04 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $24,230 | $11.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,490 | $16.10 |
| Bartender | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,790 | $11.92 |
| Dishwasher | $26,490 | $12.74 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,240 | $13.10 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $81,330 | $39.10 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Morgantown, 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 Morgantown, WV?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Morgantown, WV metro area is $30,620 a year, or $14.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Morgantown, WV?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Morgantown, WV metro area earn at least $34,830 a year. The top 25% earn $31,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Morgantown, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,490 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,950 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Morgantown, WV?
About 370 food preparation workers are employed in the Morgantown, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.