Food Preparation Workers Salary in Burlington, NC

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

Median annual salary $28,380 -17.1% vs national
Median hourly $13.64
10th percentile $21,850
90th percentile $35,740
Employed locally 370
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Burlington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,850
    25th
    $25,530
    50th (median)
    $28,380
    75th
    $33,490
    90th
    $35,740

    Burlington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,445 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 44% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 56% 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 Burlington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,660
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,110
    Waiters and Waitresses $23,420
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,110
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,100
    Dishwashers $30,910

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Burlington, NC is $13.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.85 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Burlington, NC is 17.1% 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 Burlington?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,850 per year in Burlington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,530.