Food Preparation Worker salary in Virgin Islands
Food Preparation Workers in Virgin Islands earn a median of $30,460 a year ($14.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $31,960 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,320. There are 12 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $30,160, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Virgin Islands
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,150 | $13.05 |
| 25th percentile | $28,540 | $13.72 |
| Median | $30,460 | $14.64 |
| 75th percentile | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $31,960 | $15.37 |
| Average (mean) | $30,160 | $14.50 |
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 | $2,538.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,269.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,171.54 |
| Weekly | $585.77 |
| Hourly | $14.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
Related jobs in Virgin Islands
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,430 | $17.99 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,440 | $14.64 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $24,410 | $11.74 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Bartender | $61,380 | $29.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Dishwasher | $29,710 | $14.29 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $51,760 | $24.88 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $27,300 | $13.13 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,760 | $14.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Virgin Islands
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 Virgin Islands?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Virgin Islands is $30,460 a year, or $14.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $31,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Virgin Islands?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Virgin Islands earn at least $31,960 a year. The top 25% earn $31,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Virgin Islands?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,150 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,540 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Virgin Islands?
About 390 food preparation workers are employed in Virgin Islands, not counting the self-employed.