Food Preparation Worker salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Food Preparation Workers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $29,470 a year ($14.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,380 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $30,260. There are 7.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,340 | $10.74 |
| 25th percentile | $24,520 | $11.79 |
| Median | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| 75th percentile | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,380 | $18.93 |
| Average (mean) | $31,160 | $14.98 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,455.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,227.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,133.46 |
| Weekly | $566.73 |
| Hourly | $14.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC | $34,580 | 1,130 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $34,560 | 1,170 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $34,180 | 5,800 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $32,580 | 3,120 |
| Asheville, NC | $32,110 | 1,250 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $31,840 | 1,820 |
| Wilmington, NC | $31,830 | 1,380 |
| Burlington, NC | $29,660 | 410 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $29,000 | 300 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28,850 | 260 |
| Greenville, NC | $28,240 | 410 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $28,130 | 250 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $27,900 | 280 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $27,680 | 750 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $27,590 | 930 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,220 | $13.57 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,080 | $13.98 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,020 | $22.12 |
| Bartender | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,150 | $14.01 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Dishwasher | $31,300 | $15.05 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,470 | $15.61 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $29,890 | $14.37 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $29,470 a year, or $14.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $39,380 a year. The top 25% earn $36,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,340 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $24,520 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 5,290 food preparation workers are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.