Food Preparation Workers Salary in Fayetteville, NC

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

Median annual salary $26,710 -21.9% vs national
Median hourly $12.84
10th percentile $18,330
90th percentile $35,900
Employed locally 960
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Fayetteville, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,330
    25th
    $22,150
    50th (median)
    $26,710
    75th
    $33,480
    90th
    $35,900

    Fayetteville economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $58,909 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 45% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 55% 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 Fayetteville, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $25,490
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,380
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,000
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,660
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,350
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $34,200

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fayetteville, NC is $12.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.79 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Fayetteville, NC is 21.9% 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 Fayetteville?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $18,330 per year in Fayetteville, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,150.