Food Preparation Worker salary in Parkersburg-Vienna, WV
Food Preparation Workers in the Parkersburg-Vienna, WV metro area earn a median of $27,370 a year ($13.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,870 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% lower than the West Virginia statewide median of $28,360. There are 4.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $27,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Parkersburg-Vienna, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,460 | $10.32 |
| 25th percentile | $23,010 | $11.06 |
| Median | $27,370 | $13.16 |
| 75th percentile | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| Average (mean) | $27,740 | $13.34 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $2,280.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,140.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,052.69 |
| Weekly | $526.35 |
| Hourly | $13.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,370 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.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,630 | 14,810 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $31,620 | 230 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $31,290 | 560 |
| Morgantown, WV | $30,620 | 370 |
| Beckley, WV | $29,290 | 250 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $29,040 | 310 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $27,980 | 160 |
| Charleston, WV | $27,970 | 310 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $24,960 | 850 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Parkersburg-Vienna, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,780 | $10.95 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $30,100 | $14.47 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,260 | $11.18 |
| Bartender | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,950 | $11.52 |
| Dishwasher | $26,720 | $12.85 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,500 | $13.22 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Parkersburg-Vienna, WV
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Parkersburg-Vienna, WV?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Parkersburg-Vienna, WV metro area is $27,370 a year, or $13.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Parkersburg-Vienna, WV?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Parkersburg-Vienna, WV metro area earn at least $34,870 a year. The top 25% earn $30,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Parkersburg-Vienna, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,460 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $23,010 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Parkersburg-Vienna, WV?
About 160 food preparation workers are employed in the Parkersburg-Vienna, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.