Cooks, Fast Food salary in Roanoke, VA
Cooks, Fast Food in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $29,160 a year ($14.02 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $27,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,340 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 3% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $29,950. The average (mean) salary is $30,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,570 | $13.26 |
| 25th percentile | $27,630 | $13.28 |
| Median | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| 75th percentile | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Average (mean) | $30,590 | $14.71 |
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 | $2,430 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,215 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,121.54 |
| Weekly | $560.77 |
| Hourly | $14.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,160 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 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $33,970 | n/a |
| Richmond, VA | $29,570 | 1,180 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $29,290 | 310 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,790 | $14.80 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,440 | $18.96 |
| Bartender | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Dishwasher | $28,790 | $13.84 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,160 | $13.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,590 | $13.74 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,010 | $15.39 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,350 | $27.57 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $29,160 a year, or $14.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $36,340 a year. The top 25% earn $33,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,570 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $27,630 or less.