Food Preparation Workers Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $27,890 -18.5% vs national
Median hourly $13.41
10th percentile $21,950
90th percentile $36,350
Employed locally 6,030
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Raleigh, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,950
    25th
    $23,750
    50th (median)
    $27,890
    75th
    $35,710
    90th
    $36,350

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 29% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 71% 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 Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,970
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,450
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,440
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,010
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,300
    Bartenders $34,290

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Raleigh, NC is $13.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.93 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Raleigh, NC is 18.5% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,950 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,750.