SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Northwest Virginia
Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 9 metro areas compared
In Northwest Virginia, VA the median wage is $28,450.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northwest Virginia, VA the median wage is $28,450. That is 8.8% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay ranges from under $26,960 at the tenth percentile to more than $35,000 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $27,290 to $29,460.
The area has 2,090 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.29 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Charlottesville records the highest median at $30,150. Of the 260 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 257th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,960 | −13.6% |
| 25th | $27,290 | −12.5% |
| Median (50th) | $28,450 | −8.8% |
| 75th | $29,460 | −5.6% |
| 90th | $35,000 | +12.2% |
| Mean | $29,460 | −5.6% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | $30,150 | 2,800 | |
| 2 | Richmond | $29,500 | 17,100 | |
| 3 | Staunton | $29,310 | 1,470 | |
| 4 | Harrisonburg | $29,240 | 2,590 | |
| 5 | Virginia Beach | $28,780 | 22,520 | |
| 6 | Winchester | $28,360 | 1,700 | |
| 7 | Blacksburg | $28,300 | 2,230 | |
| 8 | Lynchburg | $28,220 | 3,280 | |
| 9 | Roanoke | $27,720 | 3,610 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Virginia sit close to the national average, so $28,450 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$28,450as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,140US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,450 a year, 8.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,960 to $35,000 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,090 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlottesville, at $30,150.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Northwest Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $28,450, or $13.68 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 $31,200, so pay in Northwest Virginia, VA is 8.8% 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 Northwest Virginia, VA earns more than $35,000 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,960 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 Charlottesville, at $30,150 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,090 jobs in this occupation in Northwest 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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