How much does a food preparation worker make in Asheville?
$32,110a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Asheville, NC metro area. That is $15.44 an hour or $2,676 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.44
- Vs. national median
- -9%
- Rank among cities
- 208 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 1,250
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,930Median: $32,110Highest 10%: $38,680
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,930 | $11.50 | |
| 25th | $29,810 | $14.33 | |
| Median | $32,110 | $15.44 | |
| 75th | $36,340 | $17.47 | |
| 90th | $38,680 | $18.60 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Winston-Salem, NC | $34,580 |
| Durham, NC | $34,560 |
| Charlotte, NC | $34,180 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $32,580 |
| Greensboro, NC | $31,840 |
| Wilmington, NC | $31,830 |
| Burlington, NC | $29,660 |
| Raleigh, NC | $29,470 |
| Pinehurst, NC | $29,000 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28,850 |
| Greenville, NC | $28,240 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $28,130 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $27,900 |
| Hickory, NC | $27,680 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $27,590 |
Related jobs in Asheville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $60,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,960 |
| Cook | $37,550 |
| Cook | $36,590 |
| Bartender | $35,380 |
| Food Server | $35,040 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $34,450 |
| Dishwasher | $31,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $30,450 |
| Host and Hostess | $30,090 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Asheville?
The median hourly pay in the Asheville, NC metro area is $15.44 ($32,110 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Asheville than the national average?
No: $32,110 against $35,320 nationally, 9% less.
How does Asheville compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $30,260, so Asheville pays 6% more.
Where does Asheville rank for food preparation worker pay?
208 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Asheville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,930 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,680 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.