Virginia ranks 26th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, restaurant pay, trailing top-paying Massachusetts ($46,280) by $9,700 — a 27% gap.
Virginia employs roughly 2.8% of all cooks, restaurant in the country (41,010 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $28,380 | $13.64 |
| 25th percentile | $31,140 | $14.97 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| 75th percentile | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Mean (average) | $37,840 | $18.19 |
How Virginia Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (current) | $36,580 | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +27% |
| District of Columbia | $45,230 | +24% |
| Washington | $44,980 | +23% |
| Maine | $44,870 | +23% |
| Hawaii | $44,710 | +22% |
| Vermont | $44,560 | +22% |
| California | $44,290 | +21% |
| New York | $39,890 | +9% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Virginia
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $36,650 | 34,460 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,500 | 4,880 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $36,490 | 620 |
| Orderlies | $36,740 | 1,720 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $36,750 | 1,190 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,380 | 3,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Virginia?
The mean cooks, restaurant salary in Virginia is $37,840 per year. The median (middle) salary is $36,580 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Virginia?
Entry-level cooks, restaurants (10th percentile) in Virginia typically earn around $28,380 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $31,140 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Restaurant salary in Virginia?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Virginia make approximately $46,080 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $42,060 per year.
How does the Virginia Cooks, Restaurant salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, restaurant salary in Virginia is $36,580, which is -1% below national average of $36,830.