EN

Language

Search
CostAnswer

Explore

Language

MethodologyAbout

Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

In the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,400 ($15.10/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,700/year and the 90th was $40,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,666 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,400$15.10 per hour · $2,617 monthly
10th Percentile$22,700$10.91/hr base
25th Percentile$27,600$13.27/hr base
75th Percentile$37,500$18.03/hr base
90th Percentile$40,200$19.33/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 $31,000 a year leaves after tax in North CarolinaFederal tax, FICA and North Carolina 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 $31,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $31,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation North Carolina publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about North Carolina.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$31,400
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,400
Net 85%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,666After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,222Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,026Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,588 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$744 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,402 / yr
Customize deductions in full North Carolina calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.91/hr$1,892$22,700$19,906
25th Percentile$13.27/hr$2,300$27,600$23,746
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.10/hr$2,617$31,400$26,666
75th Percentile$18.03/hr$3,125$37,500$31,324
90th Percentile$19.33/hr$3,350$40,200$33,385

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$82,330Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.92.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.1%of area median income

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

Compare markets

Food Preparation Workers pay in other North Carolina metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $31,400, which equates to approximately $2,617 per month or $15.10 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $15.10 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.91/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.33/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC span from $22,700 at the 10th percentile to $27,600 at the 25th, $37,500 at the 75th, and $40,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

On a median gross salary of $31,400, an estimated $26,666 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,026 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,734 (an effective rate of 15.1%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

On the median annual salary of $31,400, gross monthly income is $2,617. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,222 per month (or $1,026 every two weeks).

Is $31,400 a good salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

At $31,400, the median salary for food preparation workers is 38.1% of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC median household income ($82,330). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.9, making regional consumer goods and services 2.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.