SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Roanoke
Roanoke, VA · 4 metro areas compared
In Roanoke, VA the median wage is $29,260.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Roanoke, VA the median wage is $29,260. That is 18.5% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay ranges from under $25,810 at the tenth percentile to more than $36,240 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $26,180 to $31,130.
Employment stands at 130, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Winchester records the highest median at $30,670. Of the 388 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 375th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,810 | −28.1% |
| 25th | $26,180 | −27.0% |
| Median (50th) | $29,260 | −18.5% |
| 75th | $31,130 | −13.2% |
| 90th | $36,240 | +1.0% |
| Mean | $30,020 | −16.3% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winchester | $30,670 | 60 | |
| 2 | Staunton | $30,160 | 70 | |
| 3 | Richmond | $29,280 | 300 | |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | $27,830 | 810 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Roanoke sit close to the national average, so $29,260 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$29,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,942US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,260 a year, 18.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,810 to $36,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Winchester, at $30,670.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Roanoke, VA?
The median annual wage is $29,260, or $14.07 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,880, so pay in Roanoke, VA is 18.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Roanoke, VA earns more than $36,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,810 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Winchester, at $30,670 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Roanoke, VA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data