SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Virginia
Virginia · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Virginia is $30,110 per year, close to the national median of $31,200 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Virginia is $30,110 per year, close to the national median of $31,200 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $28,230 and $34,650. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,130 and the ninetieth at $37,550.
Employment stands at 104,460, or 25.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Virginia ranks number 23rd out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Charlottesville records the highest median at $30,150. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 740th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,130 | −13.0% |
| 25th | $28,230 | −9.5% |
| Median (50th) | $30,110 | −3.5% |
| 75th | $34,650 | +11.1% |
| 90th | $37,550 | +20.4% |
| Mean | $31,930 | +2.3% |
Highest-paying 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 Virginia sit close to the national average, so $30,110 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$30,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,782US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,110 a year, 3.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,130 to $37,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 104,460 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 23rd of 51 states for 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 Virginia?
The median annual wage is $30,110, or $14.48 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 Virginia is 3.5% 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 Virginia earns more than $37,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,130 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 104,460 jobs in this occupation in Virginia. 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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