Food Preparation Workers Salary in Asheville, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Asheville, NC

Median annual salary $33,190 -3% vs national
Median hourly $15.96
10th percentile $23,740
90th percentile $37,660
Employed locally 1,350
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Asheville, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,740
    25th
    $29,670
    50th (median)
    $33,190
    75th
    $35,820
    90th
    $37,660

    Asheville economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,236 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 48% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 52% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $37,270
    Anchorage, AK $36,480
    Grand Junction, CO $36,140
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $35,830
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $35,050

    Related occupations in Asheville, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,240
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,820
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,340
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,200
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,470
    Bartenders $35,130

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Asheville?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Asheville, NC is $15.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.60 or more per hour.

    Is Asheville above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Asheville, NC is 3% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Asheville?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,740 per year in Asheville, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,670.