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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in North Carolina

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in North Carolina?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$39,070
Median Annual Salary
▲ +4.4% vs 2024
$38,110
Mean Salary
$39,070
Median Salary
$18.78
Hourly Rate
770 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary by percentile in North Carolina

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in North Carolina — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina.10thBottom 10% earn less than $28,770$28,77025th25% earn less than $30,150$30,150MedianHalf earn more than $39,070$39,07075th75% earn less than $44,250$44,25090thTop 10% earn more than $46,430$46,430

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina earn a median salary of $39,070 per year ($3,255/month). This is 5.2% below the national average of $41,230. North Carolina ranks #27 out of 41 states for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. Approximately 770 people work in this occupation across North Carolina. Salaries increased by 4.4% compared to 2024.

About This Job: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders

Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring
3.5
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Operation and Control
3.12
Active Listening
3.0

Key Knowledge Areas

Production and Processing
4.35
Food Production
3.8
Administration and Management
3.31
Education and Training
3.13
Mechanical
3.11
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent (85.9% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina

Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina range from $28,770 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $46,430 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $30,150 and $44,250.

Median $39,070
P10: $28,770 P25: $30,150 P75: $44,250 P90: $46,430
10th
$28,770
25th
$30,150
Median
$39,070
75th
$44,250
90th
$46,430
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $28,770 $13.83 $2,397
25th Percentile $30,150 $14.50 $2,512
Median (50th) $39,070 $18.78 $3,255
75th Percentile $44,250 $21.27 $3,687
90th Percentile (Experienced) $46,430 $22.32 $3,869

Note: The mean (average) salary of $38,110 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#27
North Carolina ranks #27 of 41 states
$41,230
National avg. for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
-5.2%
vs. national average
Below Average

What does this salary really buy? See Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in North Carolina adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders take-home pay in North Carolina after taxes →

Explore Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Data in North Carolina

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary by State

Compare Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in North Carolina?
The median annual salary for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina is $39,070 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $38,110.
What is the salary range for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina?
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina range from $28,770 at the 10th percentile to $46,430 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $30,150 and $44,250.
What is the starting salary for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina?
Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders positions in North Carolina typically start around $28,770 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $30,150 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 770 people are employed as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina.
What is the hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina is approximately $18.78 per hour.

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Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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