Food Preparation Workers pay in Richmond
In Richmond (VA), the median pay for food preparation workers is $16.18 an hour ($33,650 a year). About 2,890 people work in this job there.
That is 5% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 4% lower than the Virginia median ($34,900).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Richmond (VA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.05 | $29,210 |
| 25% of workers | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.18 | $33,650 |
| 75% of workers | $17.37 | $36,120 |
| 90% of workers | $18.46 | $38,390 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Virginia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $34,210 | 400 |
| Richmond (this page) | $33,650 | 2,890 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $32,580 | 3,120 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | $32,210 | 180 |
| Harrisonburg | $32,150 | 240 |
| Winchester | $31,620 | 230 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $31,200 | 320 |
| Lynchburg | $30,800 | 490 |
| Roanoke | $30,790 | 640 |
Virginia unemployment rate: 3.6% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Richmond (VA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,500 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,080 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,980 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,140 |
| Bakers | $31,500 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,960 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,570 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.