Food Preparation Workers Salary in North Carolina
Food Preparation Workers in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $30,260 —14.3% below the national median of $35,320. That ranks NC #42 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.88×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,910 | $19.67 | 19,510 | 0.96 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 | $19.04 | 3,970 | 0.98 |
| 3 | California | $39,350 | $18.92 | 112,750 | 1.08 |
| 4 | Colorado | $38,960 | $18.73 | 12,080 | 0.73 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 | $18.70 | 13,620 | 0.65 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $38,160 | $18.35 | 5,950 | 1.65 |
| 7 | Oregon | $37,450 | $18.00 | 11,860 | 1.05 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $36,800 | $17.69 | 980 | 0.40 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $36,780 | $17.68 | 3,420 | 0.87 |
| 10 | Arizona | $36,750 | $17.67 | 16,590 | 0.89 |
Related occupations in North Carolina
Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.
| Occupation | North Carolina median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,150 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,400 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,010 | $44,080 |
| Bartenders | $36,470 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,190 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation workers make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for food preparation workers in North Carolina is $30,260, or $14.55 per hour. That is 14.3% below the national median of $35,320.
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in North Carolina?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $21,870 per year ($10.52/hour). The 25th percentile is $26,610.
How many people work as food preparation workers in North Carolina?
About 24,960 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 5.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is North Carolina a good state for food preparation workers?
North Carolina ranks #42 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.88x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays food preparation workers the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $40,910 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($39,600) and California ($39,350).