Food Preparation Worker salary in North Carolina
Food Preparation Workers in North Carolina earn a median of $30,260 a year ($14.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 24,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,760 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,320. North Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 5.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,870 | $10.52 |
| 25th percentile | $26,610 | $12.79 |
| Median | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| 75th percentile | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,760 | $18.63 |
| Average (mean) | $31,270 | $15.03 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,521.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,260.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,163.85 |
| Weekly | $581.92 |
| Hourly | $14.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC | $34,580 | 1,130 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $34,560 | 1,170 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $34,180 | 5,800 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $32,580 | 3,120 |
| Asheville, NC | $32,110 | 1,250 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $31,840 | 1,820 |
| Wilmington, NC | $31,830 | 1,380 |
| Burlington, NC | $29,660 | 410 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $29,470 | 5,290 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $29,000 | 300 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28,850 | 260 |
| Greenville, NC | $28,240 | 410 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $28,130 | 250 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $27,900 | 280 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $27,680 | 750 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $27,590 | 930 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,190 | $13.07 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,290 | $15.04 |
| Cooks, All Other | $31,120 | $14.96 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 | $13.74 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Bartender | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Dishwasher | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,460 | $15.13 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,130 | $29.39 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in North Carolina?
The median salary for food preparation workers in North Carolina is $30,260 a year, or $14.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in North Carolina earn at least $38,760 a year. The top 25% earn $36,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,870 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $26,610 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in North Carolina?
About 24,960 food preparation workers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.