Cooks, Fast Food salary in Charlottesville, VA
Cooks, Fast Food in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $33,970 a year ($16.33 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $29,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,950 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 13% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $29,950. The average (mean) salary is $33,540, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| 25th percentile | $29,270 | $14.07 |
| Median | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| 75th percentile | $34,820 | $16.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,950 | $19.69 |
| Average (mean) | $33,540 | $16.12 |
Half of cooks, fast food 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 | $2,830.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,415.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,306.54 |
| Weekly | $653.27 |
| Hourly | $16.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $35,800 | 10,580 |
| Richmond, VA | $29,570 | 1,180 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $29,290 | 310 |
| Roanoke, VA | $29,160 | n/a |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $28,680 | 190 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $28,430 | 260 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $28,380 | 5,030 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $26,930 | 720 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,510 | $18.52 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,150 | $14.50 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Bartender | $48,210 | $23.18 |
| Dishwasher | $33,090 | $15.91 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $33,040 | $15.89 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,210 | $14.53 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,250 | $16.46 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $32,250 | $15.50 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. 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 cooks, fast food make in Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $33,970 a year, or $16.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $40,950 a year. The top 25% earn $34,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,140 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $29,270 or less.