CDCareer Decision

Food Preparation Workers Salary in NC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Food Preparation Workers in NC have a median annual salary of $30,260, with 24,960 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $21,870 at the 10th percentile to $38,760 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$30,260

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$14.55

Employment

24,960

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$21,870
10th
$26,610
25th
$30,260
Median
$36,120
75th
$38,760
90th

Local compared with national

NC

$30,260

Median annual · 2025

United States

$35,320

Median annual · 2025

The NC median is 14.3% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $5,060).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  2. 2.Service OrientationImportance 3.0
  3. 3.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 2.9
  5. 5.CoordinationImportance 2.9
  6. 6.Critical ThinkingImportance 2.8
  7. 7.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.6
  8. 8.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.6
  9. 9.MonitoringImportance 2.5
  10. 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 2.4
  11. 11.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 2.1
  12. 12.MathematicsImportance 2.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Barrington Software CookenPro Commercial
  • CBORD Foodservice Suite
  • CBORD NetRecipe
  • Culinary Software Services ChefTec
  • EGS CALCMENU
  • iPro
  • Master Cook Deluxe Professional Cook
  • Mealmaster Cookbook Wizard
  • MicroBlast Recipe Wizard for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Quizlet
  • Recipe software
  • ValuSoft MasterCook
  • YouTube

Common tasks

  • Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
  • Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
  • Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
  • Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
  • Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
  • Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
  • Weigh or measure ingredients.
  • Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor.
  • Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.
  • Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Food Preparation Workers salary in other locations

Other occupations in NC