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Winston-Salem, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Winston-Salem, NC

In the Winston-Salem, 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$26,000$12.50/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 payWhat $29,000 a year leaves after tax in North CarolinaFederal tax, FICA and North Carolina withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$14 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $29,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $29,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation North Carolina publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about North Carolina.

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
Customize deductions in full North Carolina calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.24/hr$1,775$21,300$18,809
25th Percentile$12.50/hr$2,167$26,000$22,492
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 Winston-Salem, 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$65,975Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.08% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio44.7%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other North Carolina metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Winston-Salem, NC. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Winston-Salem, NC

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Winston-Salem, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Winston-Salem, NC span from $21,300 at the 10th percentile to $26,000 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 Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC?

At $29,500, the median salary for food preparation workers is 44.7% of the Winston-Salem, NC median household income ($65,975). 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.