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Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

In the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $32,000 ($15.38/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,100/year and the 90th was $39,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Virginia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,866 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,000$15.38 per hour · $2,667 monthly
10th Percentile$26,100$12.55/hr base
25th Percentile$28,400$13.65/hr base
75th Percentile$34,200$16.44/hr base
90th Percentile$39,000$18.75/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $32,000 a year leaves after tax in VirginiaFederal tax, FICA and Virginia withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$15 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $32,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $32,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Virginia publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Virginia.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$32,000
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$32,000
Net 84%
Fed 5%
VA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,866After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,239Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,033Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,660 / yr
Virginia state income tax$1,026 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,448 / yr
Customize deductions in full Virginia calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (VA)
10th Percentile$12.55/hr$2,175$26,100$22,412
25th Percentile$13.65/hr$2,367$28,400$24,179
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.38/hr$2,667$32,000$26,866
75th Percentile$16.44/hr$2,850$34,200$28,507
90th Percentile$18.75/hr$3,250$39,000$32,088

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$32,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,839Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.77.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.6%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Virginia:

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Virginia metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA is $32,000, which equates to approximately $2,667 per month or $15.38 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA is $15.38 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.55/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.75/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA span from $26,100 at the 10th percentile to $28,400 at the 25th, $34,200 at the 75th, and $39,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

On a median gross salary of $32,000, an estimated $26,866 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,033 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Virginia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,134 (an effective rate of 16%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

On the median annual salary of $32,000, gross monthly income is $2,667. After federal, FICA, and Virginia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,239 per month (or $1,033 every two weeks).

Is $32,000 a good salary in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?

At $32,000, the median salary for food preparation workers is 48.6% of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA median household income ($65,839). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.7, making regional consumer goods and services 7.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.