Food Preparation Workers Salary in Jacksonville, NC

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

Median annual salary $28,010 -18.1% vs national
Median hourly $13.46
10th percentile $20,470
90th percentile $34,930
Employed locally 240
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Jacksonville, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,470
    25th
    $23,770
    50th (median)
    $28,010
    75th
    $32,690
    90th
    $34,930

    Jacksonville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,568 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 43% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 57% 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 Jacksonville, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $23,420
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,250
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,960
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,270
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,180
    Bartenders $26,620

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Jacksonville, NC is $13.46, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.89 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Jacksonville, NC is 18.1% 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 Jacksonville?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $20,470 per year in Jacksonville, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,770.