Food Preparation Worker Salary in Raleigh, NC
Food Preparation Workers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $29,470 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,192 take-home, or $2,099 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,356
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,827
- Medicare (1.45%)$427
- North Carolina income tax$667
- Take-home pay$25,192
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Food Preparation Worker pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,340 | $10.74 | $19,624 | $1,635 |
| 25th percentile | $24,520 | $11.79 | $21,333 | $1,778 |
| Median (50th) | $29,470 | $14.17 | $25,192 | $2,099 |
| 75th percentile | $36,410 | $17.50 | $30,491 | $2,541 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,380 | $18.93 | $32,759 | $2,730 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,470 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $25,192 take-home pay has the buying power of $25,665 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.2× the national concentration of food preparation worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for food preparation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #61 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $45,580 | $37,398 | $33,868 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $43,830 | $37,397 | $33,651 |
| 3 | Omaha, NE | $36,140 | $30,454 | $33,134 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $36,930 | $31,620 | $33,121 |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $35,360 | $30,402 | $32,369 |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $36,730 | $31,693 | $31,857 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $34,390 | $29,812 | $31,476 |
| 8 | North Port, FL | $37,320 | $32,167 | $31,408 |
| 61 | Raleigh, NC | $29,470 | $25,192 | $25,665 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
About the job: food preparation workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -3.0% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Food Preparation Worker salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $34,180
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Raleigh, NC?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $29,470 a year, or about $14.17 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24,520 and $36,410.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $29,470 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $25,192 a year ($2,099 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $667 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a food preparation worker?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $35,320. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $25,665 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #61 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 76% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,020
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,280
- Bartender — $36,120
- Waiter and Waitress — $34,860
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,150
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,080
- Cooks, Fast Food — $28,220