SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Southside Virginia
Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Southside Virginia, VA is $30,840 per year, 14.0% below the national median of $35,880.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Southside Virginia, VA is $30,840 per year, 14.0% below the national median of $35,880. Half of workers earn between $29,770 and $32,850. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $25,810 and the ninetieth at $37,450.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Winchester records the highest median at $30,670. Of the 323 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 301st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,810 | −28.1% |
| 25th | $29,770 | −17.0% |
| Median (50th) | $30,840 | −14.0% |
| 75th | $32,850 | −8.4% |
| 90th | $37,450 | +4.4% |
| Mean | $31,450 | −12.3% |
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 | Roanoke | $29,260 | 130 | |
| 5 | Virginia Beach | $27,830 | 810 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southside Virginia sit close to the national average, so $30,840 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$30,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,504US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,840 a year, 14.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,810 to $37,450 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 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 Southside Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $30,840, or $14.83 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 Southside Virginia, VA is 14.0% 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 Southside Virginia, VA earns more than $37,450 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 80 jobs in this occupation in Southside Virginia, 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.
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