Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $31,200 ($15.00/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,600/year and the 90th was $40,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,513 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,200$15.00 per hour · $2,600 monthly
10th Percentile$22,600$10.87/hr base
25th Percentile$27,500$13.22/hr base
75th Percentile$37,300$17.93/hr base
90th Percentile$40,000$19.23/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

$31,200
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,200
Net 85%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,513After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,209Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,020Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,564 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$736 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,387 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.87/hr$1,883$22,600$19,828
25th Percentile$13.22/hr$2,292$27,500$23,668
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.00/hr$2,600$31,200$26,513
75th Percentile$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$31,171
90th Percentile$19.23/hr$3,333$40,000$33,233

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,304Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.32.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio37.5%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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $31,200, which equates to approximately $2,600 per month or $15.00 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $15.00 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.87/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.23/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC span from $22,600 at the 10th percentile to $27,500 at the 25th, $37,300 at the 75th, and $40,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

On a median gross salary of $31,200, an estimated $26,513 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,020 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,687 (an effective rate of 15%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

On the median annual salary of $31,200, gross monthly income is $2,600. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,209 per month (or $1,020 every two weeks).

Is $31,200 a good salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

At $31,200, the median salary for food preparation workers is 37.5% of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC median household income ($83,304). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.3, making regional consumer goods and services 2.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.