How much does a food preparation worker make in Raleigh?
$29,470a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area. That is $14.17 an hour or $2,456 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.17
- Vs. national median
- -17%
- Rank among cities
- 292 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 5,290
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,340Median: $29,470Highest 10%: $39,380
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,340 | $10.74 | |
| 25th | $24,520 | $11.79 | |
| Median | $29,470 | $14.17 | |
| 75th | $36,410 | $17.50 | |
| 90th | $39,380 | $18.93 |
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 |
| Asheville, NC | $32,110 |
| Greensboro, NC | $31,840 |
| Wilmington, NC | $31,830 |
| Burlington, NC | $29,660 |
| 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 Raleigh
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,190 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $46,020 |
| Cook | $37,460 |
| Cook | $36,280 |
| Bartender | $36,120 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $34,860 |
| Food Server | $32,470 |
| Dishwasher | $31,300 |
| Cook | $31,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $29,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Raleigh?
The median hourly pay in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $14.17 ($29,470 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Raleigh than the national average?
No: $29,470 against $35,320 nationally, 17% less.
How does Raleigh compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $30,260, so Raleigh pays 3% less.
Where does Raleigh rank for food preparation worker pay?
292 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Raleigh?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,340 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,380 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.