Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA

In the Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,500 ($15.14/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,700/year and the 90th was $38,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Virginia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,493 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,500$15.14 per hour · $2,625 monthly
10th Percentile$25,700$12.36/hr base
25th Percentile$27,900$13.41/hr base
75th Percentile$33,600$16.15/hr base
90th Percentile$38,300$18.41/hr base

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

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$31,500
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,500
Net 84%
Fed 5%
VA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,493After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,208Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,019Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,600 / yr
Virginia state income tax$997 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,410 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, 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 Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (VA)
10th Percentile$12.36/hr$2,142$25,700$22,103
25th Percentile$13.41/hr$2,325$27,900$23,796
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.14/hr$2,625$31,500$26,493
75th Percentile$16.15/hr$2,800$33,600$28,060
90th Percentile$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$31,566

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$73,544Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.18.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA is $31,500, which equates to approximately $2,625 per month or $15.14 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA is $15.14 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.36/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.41/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA span from $25,700 at the 10th percentile to $27,900 at the 25th, $33,600 at the 75th, and $38,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA?

On a median gross salary of $31,500, an estimated $26,493 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,019 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Virginia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,007 (an effective rate of 15.9%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA?

On the median annual salary of $31,500, gross monthly income is $2,625. After federal, FICA, and Virginia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,208 per month (or $1,019 every two weeks).

Is $31,500 a good salary in Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA?

At $31,500, the median salary for food preparation workers is 42.8% of the Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA median household income ($73,544). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.1, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.