Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$21,800
- 25th Percentile — Junior$23,370
- 50th Percentile — Median$28,570
- 75th Percentile — Senior$34,370
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$36,820
Half of Fast Food and Counter Workers in North Carolina earn more than $28,570. The top 10% make $36,820 or more, while entry-level workers start around $21,800.
Fast Food and Counter Workers in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 33rd of 51 states for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay, at $29,050 per year (9.6% below the U.S. average of $32,150).
- 92,230 people work as Fast Food and Counter Workers in North Carolina — 2.4% of all U.S. Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.75: Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $21,800; the top 10% earn over $36,820.
- Hourly equivalent: $13.97 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $41,680.
- Among hospitality jobs in North Carolina, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($63,960).
Fast Food and Counter Workers 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. Fast Food and Counter Workers here earn $29,050 on average, placing the state 33rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $29,050 is roughly equivalent to $31,923 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($30,260), Montana ($30,120), Wisconsin ($29,110) are the closest alternatives for Fast Food and Counter Workers 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 +120.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,550/yr North Carolina +60.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $41,200/yr North Carolina +41.8% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $37,850/yr North Carolina +30.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $36,130/yr North Carolina +24.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,140/yr North Carolina +21.0% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,690/yr North Carolina 4.7% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,080/yr North Carolina 6.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in North Carolina?
The average Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in North Carolina is $29,050 per year (median $28,570), which is 9.6% below the national average of $32,150.
How does North Carolina rank for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay?
North Carolina ranks 33rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($41,680/yr).
How much do entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Fast Food and Counter Workers in North Carolina earn about $21,800 per year and the 25th percentile is $23,370.
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make per hour in North Carolina?
About $13.97 per hour, based on the $29,050 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 92,230 Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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