Virginia Median
$35,140
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.89
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#37 of 41
510 employed here
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Virginia?
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Virginia take home a median of $35,140 annually — roughly $16.89 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $41,590.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $31,480 while the top 10% make $48,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,720 and $41,990 a year.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,480 | $15.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,720 | $15.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,140 | $16.89 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $41,990 | $20.19 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,800 | $23.46 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 37th out of 41 states and territories for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other states
Washington $51,100Utah $48,620Massachusetts $47,960Iowa $47,900Michigan $47,260Minnesota $47,250Colorado $46,900Kansas $45,850New York $45,680Tennessee $45,620Nebraska $45,420Idaho $45,120California $44,740Oregon $44,530Louisiana $44,440Arizona $44,050Indiana $43,350Pennsylvania $42,710Illinois $42,670Missouri $42,160Kentucky $41,800Ohio $41,160Arkansas $40,480New Hampshire $40,440Wisconsin $40,000South Dakota $39,270North Carolina $39,070Connecticut $38,880Georgia $38,440South Carolina $38,220Maine $37,500New Jersey $37,180Maryland $36,960Nevada $36,610Florida $36,450Oklahoma $36,030Texas $33,980Delaware $31,240Mississippi $31,150Alabama $27,080
Working as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Virginia
Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Virginia pay ($35,140) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Virginia?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Virginia is $35,140 per year, or about $16.89 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,480 at the entry level to $48,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 16% less than the national median of $41,590. Virginia ranks 37th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,140 a year. About 510 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in Virginia. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.