SOC 35-9099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Western North Carolina, NC is $28,370 per year, 20.8% below the national median of $35,840.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Western North Carolina, NC is $28,370 per year, 20.8% below the national median of $35,840. Half of workers earn between $27,000 and $33,250. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $24,550 and the ninetieth at $37,630.
The area has 260 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Durham records the highest median at $34,480. Of the 472 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 463rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,550 | −31.5% |
| 25th | $27,000 | −24.7% |
| Median (50th) | $28,370 | −20.8% |
| 75th | $33,250 | −7.2% |
| 90th | $37,630 | +5.0% |
| Mean | $29,860 | −16.7% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | $34,480 | 250 | |
| 2 | Charlotte | $31,440 | 1,500 | |
| 3 | Asheville | $30,450 | 150 | |
| 4 | Wilmington | $30,350 | 280 | |
| 5 | Pinehurst | $30,200 | 100 | |
| 6 | Winston-Salem | $30,060 | 310 | |
| 7 | Burlington | $30,050 | 70 | |
| 8 | Raleigh | $29,890 | 580 | |
| 9 | Greensboro | $29,190 | 250 | |
| 10 | Hickory | $29,150 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $28,370 goes as far as $30,085 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,085US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,370 a year, 20.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,550 to $37,630 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Durham, at $34,480.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Western North Carolina, NC?
The median annual wage is $28,370, or $13.64 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 $35,840, so pay in Western North Carolina, NC is 20.8% 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 Western North Carolina, NC earns more than $37,630 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,550 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 Durham, at $34,480 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 jobs in this occupation in Western North Carolina, NC. 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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