Fayetteville, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Fayetteville, NC

In the Fayetteville, NC metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $29,500 ($14.18/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,300/year and the 90th was $37,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,215 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,500$14.18 per hour · $2,458 monthly
10th Percentile$21,300$10.24/hr base
25th Percentile$25,900$12.45/hr base
75th Percentile$35,200$16.92/hr base
90th Percentile$37,800$18.17/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

$29,500
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,500
Net 85%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,215After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,101Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$970Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,360 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$668 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,257 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.24/hr$1,775$21,300$18,809
25th Percentile$12.45/hr$2,158$25,900$22,414
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.18/hr$2,458$29,500$25,215
75th Percentile$16.92/hr$2,933$35,200$29,567
90th Percentile$18.17/hr$3,150$37,800$31,553

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Fayetteville, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$61,763Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.08% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio47.8%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 Fayetteville, NC

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

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Fayetteville, NC is $29,500, which equates to approximately $2,458 per month or $14.18 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Fayetteville, NC is $14.18 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.24/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.17/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Fayetteville, NC span from $21,300 at the 10th percentile to $25,900 at the 25th, $35,200 at the 75th, and $37,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $29,500, an estimated $25,215 lands in net take-home pay per year ($970 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,285 (an effective rate of 14.5%).

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

On the median annual salary of $29,500, gross monthly income is $2,458. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,101 per month (or $970 every two weeks).

Is $29,500 a good salary in Fayetteville, NC?

At $29,500, the median salary for food preparation workers is 47.8% of the Fayetteville, NC median household income ($61,763). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.0, making regional consumer goods and services 8% cheaper than the U.S. average.