Food Preparation Worker salary in West Virginia
Food Preparation Workers in West Virginia earn a median of $28,360 a year ($13.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,890 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $35,320. West Virginia ranks 46th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 4.2 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $28,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,570 | $10.37 |
| 25th percentile | $23,280 | $11.19 |
| Median | $28,360 | $13.63 |
| 75th percentile | $31,380 | $15.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,890 | $17.26 |
| Average (mean) | $28,450 | $13.68 |
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 | $2,363.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,181.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,090.77 |
| Weekly | $545.38 |
| Hourly | $13.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in West Virginia
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,120 | $11.12 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,440 | $13.19 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,070 | $15.90 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,070 | $12.54 |
| Bartender | $29,630 | $14.24 |
| Dishwasher | $26,460 | $12.72 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,420 | $11.74 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,150 | $13.05 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $21,640 | $10.40 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for food preparation workers in West Virginia is $28,360 a year, or $13.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in West Virginia earn at least $35,890 a year. The top 25% earn $31,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,570 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $23,280 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in West Virginia?
About 2,960 food preparation workers are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.