Food Preparation Worker salary in Wheeling, WV-OH
Food Preparation Workers in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn a median of $29,040 a year ($13.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,810 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $28,360. There are 5.3 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,850 | $10.99 |
| 25th percentile | $26,280 | $12.64 |
| Median | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| 75th percentile | $33,940 | $16.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Average (mean) | $30,070 | $14.46 |
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 | $2,420 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,210 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,116.92 |
| Weekly | $558.46 |
| Hourly | $13.96 |
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 |
| Columbus, OH | $36,930 | 3,210 |
| Cleveland, OH | $35,360 | 4,410 |
| Toledo, OH | $35,260 | 950 |
| Akron, OH | $35,010 | 1,110 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,320 | 5,320 |
| Mansfield, OH | $34,270 | 200 |
| Sandusky, OH | $34,080 | 270 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $33,110 | 1,060 |
| Springfield, OH | $31,840 | 160 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $31,620 | 230 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $31,420 | 810 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $31,290 | 560 |
| Morgantown, WV | $30,620 | 370 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $30,310 | 720 |
| Lima, OH | $29,720 | 230 |
| Beckley, WV | $29,290 | 250 |
| 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 Wheeling, WV-OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,110 | $11.11 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,600 | $14.71 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,590 | $13.27 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,150 | $12.57 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,740 | $14.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,180 | $16.43 |
| Bartender | $28,530 | $13.71 |
| Dishwasher | $26,180 | $12.59 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,080 | $12.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,700 | $12.84 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $26,890 | $12.93 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,400 | $26.16 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Wheeling, WV-OH
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 Wheeling, WV-OH?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area is $29,040 a year, or $13.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Wheeling, WV-OH?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn at least $35,810 a year. The top 25% earn $33,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Wheeling, WV-OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,850 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $26,280 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Wheeling, WV-OH?
About 310 food preparation workers are employed in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.