Food Preparation Workers pay in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk
In Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (VA), the median pay for food preparation workers is $15.66 an hour ($32,580 a year). About 3,120 people work in this job there.
That is 8% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 7% lower than the Virginia median ($34,900).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (VA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.77 | $28,630 |
| 25% of workers | $14.84 | $30,860 |
| Half of workers (median) | $15.66 | $32,580 |
| 75% of workers | $17.49 | $36,380 |
| 90% of workers | $18.47 | $38,430 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Virginia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $34,210 | 400 |
| Richmond | $33,650 | 2,890 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (this page) | $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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (VA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,780 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,280 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,380 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,330 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,440 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,710 |
| Bakers | $33,940 |
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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.