Food Preparation Workers pay in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the median pay for food preparation workers is $14.55 an hour ($30,260 a year). About 24,960 people work in this job there.
That is 14% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). North Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in North Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.52 | $21,870 |
| 25% of workers | $12.79 | $26,610 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.55 | $30,260 |
| 75% of workers | $17.37 | $36,120 |
| 90% of workers | $18.63 | $38,760 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in North Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem | $34,580 | 1,130 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $34,560 | 1,170 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $34,180 | 5,800 |
| Asheville | $32,110 | 1,250 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $31,840 | 1,820 |
| Wilmington | $31,830 | 1,380 |
| Burlington | $29,660 | 410 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $29,470 | 5,290 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $29,000 | 300 |
| Rocky Mount | $28,850 | 260 |
| Greenville | $28,240 | 410 |
| Goldsboro | $28,130 | 250 |
| Jacksonville | $27,900 | 280 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $27,680 | 750 |
| Fayetteville | $27,590 | 930 |
North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,190 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,400 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,560 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,140 |
| Bakers | $34,510 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,460 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,130 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.