Food Preparation Workers Salary in Wilmington, NC

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

Median annual salary $31,750 -7.2% vs national
Median hourly $15.27
10th percentile $24,470
90th percentile $39,810
Employed locally 1,240
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Wilmington, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,470
    25th
    $28,400
    50th (median)
    $31,750
    75th
    $35,140
    90th
    $39,810

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 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 Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $21,540
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,910
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,740
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,780
    Bartenders $29,650

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Wilmington, NC is $15.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.36 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Wilmington, NC is 7.2% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $24,470 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,400.