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Charleston, WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Charleston, WV

In the Charleston, WV metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $28,100 ($13.51/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,400/year and the 90th was $35,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and West Virginia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,083 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$28,100$13.51 per hour · $2,342 monthly
10th Percentile$21,400$10.29/hr base
25th Percentile$23,100$11.11/hr base
75th Percentile$31,100$14.95/hr base
90th Percentile$35,600$17.12/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 $28,000 a year leaves after tax in West VirginiaFederal tax, FICA and West Virginia withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$14 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $28,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $28,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation West Virginia publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about West Virginia.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$28,100
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$28,100
Net 86%
Fed 4%
WV 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,083After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,007Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$926Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,200 / yr
West Virginia state income tax$667 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,150 / yr
Customize deductions in full West Virginia calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Charleston, WV

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 Charleston, WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WV)
10th Percentile$10.29/hr$1,783$21,400$18,758
25th Percentile$11.11/hr$1,925$23,100$20,110
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.51/hr$2,342$28,100$24,083
75th Percentile$14.95/hr$2,592$31,100$26,407
90th Percentile$17.12/hr$2,967$35,600$29,880

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Charleston, WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$28,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$60,117Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.711.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.7%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other West Virginia metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Charleston, WV. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Charleston, WV

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Charleston, WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Charleston, WV is $28,100, which equates to approximately $2,342 per month or $13.51 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Charleston, WV?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Charleston, WV is $13.51 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.29/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.12/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Charleston, WV?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Charleston, WV span from $21,400 at the 10th percentile to $23,100 at the 25th, $31,100 at the 75th, and $35,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Charleston, WV?

On a median gross salary of $28,100, an estimated $24,083 lands in net take-home pay per year ($926 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in West Virginia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,017 (an effective rate of 14.3%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Charleston, WV?

On the median annual salary of $28,100, gross monthly income is $2,342. After federal, FICA, and West Virginia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,007 per month (or $926 every two weeks).

Is $28,100 a good salary in Charleston, WV?

At $28,100, the median salary for food preparation workers is 46.7% of the Charleston, WV median household income ($60,117). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.7, making regional consumer goods and services 11.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.