Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$30,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $35,840
State Rank
#35 of 44
4,670 employed here

How much do Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other make in North Carolina?

Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in North Carolina take home a median of $30,160 annually — roughly $14.50 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $35,840.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $20,570 while the top 10% make $39,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,080 and $35,410 a year.

Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$20,570$9.89
25th percentile (early career)$27,080$13.02
50th percentile (median)$30,160$14.50
75th percentile (experienced)$35,410$17.02
90th percentile (top earners)$39,330$18.91

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 35th out of 44 states and territories for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Nebraska$46,170
2Hawaii$43,540
3Oregon$39,080
4Illinois$38,880
5District of Columbia$38,580

Working as Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in North Carolina

Nationally, about 85,000 people work as Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($30,160) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other make in North Carolina?
The median Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary in North Carolina is $30,160 per year, or about $14.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $20,570 at the entry level to $39,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other about 16% less than the national median of $35,840. North Carolina ranks 35th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,160 a year. About 4,670 Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.