SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — North Carolina
North Carolina · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in North Carolina is $30,260 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 14.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in North Carolina is $30,260 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 14.3%. Half of workers earn between $26,610 and $36,120. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,870 and the ninetieth at $38,760.
The area has 24,960 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.88 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, North Carolina ranks 42nd by median wage. Winston-Salem leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $34,580. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 729th of 745 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,870 | −38.1% |
| 25th | $26,610 | −24.7% |
| Median (50th) | $30,260 | −14.3% |
| 75th | $36,120 | +2.3% |
| 90th | $38,760 | +9.7% |
| Mean | $31,270 | −11.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winston-Salem | $34,580 | 1,130 | |
| 2 | Durham | $34,560 | 1,170 | |
| 3 | Charlotte | $34,180 | 5,800 | |
| 4 | Asheville | $32,110 | 1,250 | |
| 5 | Greensboro | $31,840 | 1,820 | |
| 6 | Wilmington | $31,830 | 1,380 | |
| 7 | Burlington | $29,660 | 410 | |
| 8 | Raleigh | $29,470 | 5,290 | |
| 9 | Pinehurst | $29,000 | 300 | |
| 10 | Rocky Mount | $28,850 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $30,260 goes as far as $32,089 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,089US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,260 a year, 14.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,870 to $38,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 24,960 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 42nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Winston-Salem, at $34,580.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in North Carolina?
The median annual wage is $30,260, or $14.55 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 $35,320, so pay in North Carolina is 14.3% 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 North Carolina earns more than $38,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,870 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 Winston-Salem, at $34,580 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 24,960 jobs in this occupation in North Carolina. 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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