Cooks, Short Order salary in West Virginia
Cooks, Short Order in West Virginia earn a median of $27,440 a year ($13.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,210 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $35,880. West Virginia ranks 42nd of 49 states for cooks, short order pay. There are 0.88 cooks, short order per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $28,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,120 | $9.67 |
| 25th percentile | $24,380 | $11.72 |
| Median | $27,440 | $13.19 |
| 75th percentile | $31,380 | $15.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| Average (mean) | $28,120 | $13.52 |
Half of cooks, short order 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 | $2,286.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,143.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,055.38 |
| Weekly | $527.69 |
| Hourly | $13.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Short Order salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $39,650 | 3,850 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $31,840 | 110 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $30,670 | 60 |
| Morgantown, WV | $29,210 | 70 |
| Charleston, WV | $27,590 | 80 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $27,590 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $26,470 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, short order
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,630 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 |
| California | $42,930 |
| Washington | $42,760 |
| Colorado | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 |
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,120 | $11.12 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,360 | $13.63 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,070 | $15.90 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,070 | $12.54 |
| Bartender | $29,630 | $14.24 |
| Dishwasher | $26,460 | $12.72 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,420 | $11.74 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,150 | $13.05 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $21,640 | $10.40 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2015. 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, short order make in West Virginia?
The median salary for cooks, short order in West Virginia is $27,440 a year, or $13.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in West Virginia earn at least $36,210 a year. The top 25% earn $31,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,120 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $24,380 or less.
How many cooks, short order work in West Virginia?
About 620 cooks, short order are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.