Food Preparation Workers Salary in Goldsboro, NC

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

Median annual salary $27,020 -21% vs national
Median hourly $12.99
10th percentile $20,800
90th percentile $35,100
Employed locally 180
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Goldsboro, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,800
    25th
    $23,430
    50th (median)
    $27,020
    75th
    $32,210
    90th
    $35,100

    Goldsboro economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $58,082 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 47% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 53% 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 Goldsboro, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food$22,520
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,650
    Waiters and Waitresses$23,690
    Cooks, Restaurant$29,790
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,940
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$33,400

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Goldsboro, NC is $12.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.20 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Goldsboro, NC is 21% 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 Goldsboro?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $20,800 per year in Goldsboro, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,430.