Salaries › Cafeteria Cook › West Virginia
Cafeteria Cook Salary in West Virginia (2026)
$14.30 per hour · take-home ≈ $25,252/year ($2,104/month) for a single filer
West Virginia ranks 47th of 51 states for Cafeteria Cook pay, with a median about 22% below the national average. Of the 4,420 Cafeteria Cook jobs BLS counts in West Virginia, the typical worker earns $29,740 a year — though pay ranges from $23,820 for newcomers to $38,470 at the top.
Cafeteria Cook pay range in West Virginia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $23,820 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $27,740 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $29,740 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $35,680 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $38,470 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 4,420 Cafeteria Cook jobs in West Virginia (occupation code 35-2012, “Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria”).
Gross vs. take-home in West Virginia
A median Cafeteria Cook salary of $29,740 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus West Virginia state income tax, a single filer keeps about $25,252 — an effective tax rate of 15.1%.
| Gross (median) | $29,740 |
| Federal income tax | −$1,389 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,275 |
| West Virginia state income tax | −$824 |
| Take-home (annual) | $25,252 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,104 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free West Virginia paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Cafeteria Cook make in West Virginia?
- The median Cafeteria Cook salary in West Virginia is $29,740 per year ($14.30 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $27,740 and $35,680.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cafeteria Cook in West Virginia?
- On the median salary of $29,740, a single filer in West Virginia takes home about $25,252 per year ($2,104 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 15.1%.
- How many Cafeteria Cook jobs are there in West Virginia?
- BLS counts 4,420 Cafeteria Cook jobs in West Virginia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Cafeteria Cooks
Other salaries in West Virginia
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified West Virginia state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for West Virginia.