Quick answer
Food Preparation Workers in North Carolina earned a median of $30,260 a year ($14.55 an hour) in May 2025, 14% below the national median of $35,320; 24,960 were employed there, ranking #43 of 54 states and territories by median pay, per BLS OEWS.
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| Measure | North Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $30,260 | $35,320 |
| Mean annual wage | $31,270 | $35,290 |
| Median hourly wage | $14.55 | $16.98 |
| 10th percentile | $21,870 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $26,610 | $29,950 |
| 75th percentile | $36,120 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $38,760 | $45,340 |
| Employment | 24,960 | 893,600 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 5.051 | — |
| Location quotient | 0.88 | 1.00 |
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Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.