Cooks Fast Food Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$21,890
- 25th Percentile — Junior$22,740
- 50th Percentile — Median$27,190
- 75th Percentile — Senior$29,190
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$34,860
Half of Cooks Fast Food in North Carolina earn more than $27,190. The top 10% make $34,860 or more, while entry-level workers start around $21,890.
Cooks Fast Food in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 47th of 51 states for Cooks Fast Food pay, at $27,080 per year (16.4% below the U.S. average of $32,390).
- 81,980 people work as Cooks Fast Food in North Carolina — 12.8% of all U.S. Cooks Fast Food jobs.
- Location quotient 4.02: Cooks Fast Food jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $21,890; the top 10% earn over $34,860.
- Hourly equivalent: $13.02 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $43,710.
- Among hospitality jobs in North Carolina, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($63,960).
Cooks Fast Food Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Cooks Fast Food here earn $27,080 on average, placing the state 47th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $27,080 is roughly equivalent to $29,758 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arkansas ($27,770), Iowa ($27,600), Alabama ($27,570) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Fast Food weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $63,960/yr North Carolina +136.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,550/yr North Carolina +71.9% vs this role
- Bartenders $41,200/yr North Carolina +52.1% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $37,850/yr North Carolina +39.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $36,130/yr North Carolina +33.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,140/yr North Carolina +29.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,050/yr North Carolina +7.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,690/yr North Carolina +2.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Fast Food salary in North Carolina?
The average Cooks Fast Food salary in North Carolina is $27,080 per year (median $27,190), which is 16.4% below the national average of $32,390.
How does North Carolina rank for Cooks Fast Food pay?
North Carolina ranks 47th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($43,710/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Fast Food make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Fast Food in North Carolina earn about $21,890 per year and the 25th percentile is $22,740.
How much do Cooks Fast Food make per hour in North Carolina?
About $13.02 per hour, based on the $27,080 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Fast Food work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 81,980 Cooks Fast Food jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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