Burlington, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Burlington, NC

In the Burlington, NC metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $29,900 ($14.38/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,600/year and the 90th was $38,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,520 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,900$14.38 per hour · $2,492 monthly
10th Percentile$21,600$10.38/hr base
25th Percentile$26,300$12.64/hr base
75th Percentile$35,700$17.16/hr base
90th Percentile$38,300$18.41/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$29,900
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,900
Net 85%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,520After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,127Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$982Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,408 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$684 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,287 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Burlington, NC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Burlington, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.38/hr$1,800$21,600$19,044
25th Percentile$12.64/hr$2,192$26,300$22,727
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.38/hr$2,492$29,900$25,520
75th Percentile$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$29,949
90th Percentile$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$31,935

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Burlington, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,651Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.26.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio45.5%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Burlington, NC

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Burlington, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Burlington, NC is $29,900, which equates to approximately $2,492 per month or $14.38 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Burlington, NC?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Burlington, NC is $14.38 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.41/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Burlington, NC?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Burlington, NC span from $21,600 at the 10th percentile to $26,300 at the 25th, $35,700 at the 75th, and $38,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Burlington, NC?

On a median gross salary of $29,900, an estimated $25,520 lands in net take-home pay per year ($982 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,380 (an effective rate of 14.6%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Burlington, NC?

On the median annual salary of $29,900, gross monthly income is $2,492. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,127 per month (or $982 every two weeks).

Is $29,900 a good salary in Burlington, NC?

At $29,900, the median salary for food preparation workers is 45.5% of the Burlington, NC median household income ($65,651). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.2, making regional consumer goods and services 6.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.