Food Preparation Workers Salary in Pinehurst, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC

Median annual salary $28,080 -17.9% vs national
Median hourly $13.50
10th percentile $21,940
90th percentile $36,150
Employed locally 280
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Pinehurst, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,940
    25th
    $23,930
    50th (median)
    $28,080
    75th
    $33,330
    90th
    $36,150

    Pinehurst economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,837 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 34% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 66% 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 Pinehurst, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses$29,210
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,160
    Cooks, Fast Food$26,030
    Cooks, Restaurant$35,010
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$42,380
    Bartenders$33,550

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Pinehurst, NC is $13.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.74 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Pinehurst, NC is 17.9% 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 Pinehurst?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,940 per year in Pinehurst, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,930.