Food Preparation Workers Salary in North Carolina
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for food preparation workers in North Carolina was $30,260 -14.3% vs national
North Carolina vs United States
| North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $30,260 | $35,320 |
| Median hourly | $14.55 | $16.98 |
| Employment | 24,960 | 893,600 |
| Location quotient | 0.88 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (North Carolina) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $21,870, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $38,760 — a 1.8x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average food preparation workers salary in North Carolina?
The median annual wage in North Carolina is $30,260 ($14.55 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for food preparation workers?
The North Carolina median of $30,260 is 14.3% lower than the U.S. median of $35,320.
How many food preparation workers work in North Carolina?
Approximately 24,960 are employed in North Carolina, per BLS OES.