📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Waiter and Waitress Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$29,375
per year
Median
$25,735
per year
Hourly
$14.12
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$19,911
25th Percentile — Junior$25,735
50th Percentile — Median$25,735
75th Percentile — Senior$38,839
90th Percentile — Top Earners$43,769
💡 Top-earning Waiter and Waitresss in North Carolina make up to $43,769 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$25.3k
2021
$26.1k
2022
$26.9k
2023
$27.7k
2024
$28.5k
2025
$29.4k
2026
📈 Waiter and Waitress salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Waiter and Waitress Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $28,200 -4.0% High
Raleigh $28,788 -2.0% High
Greensboro $26,438 -10.0% High
Durham $28,494 -3.0% High
Winston-Salem $25,556 -13.0% High
🔍
Waiter and Waitress Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Waiter and Waitresss. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $29,375 per year, North Carolina's Waiter and Waitress salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $19,911–$25,735, while experienced Waiter and Waitresss can command $38,839–$43,769.

Looking ahead, the Waiter and Waitress profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Waiter and Waitress salary in North Carolina is $29,375 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $32,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Waiter and Waitresss the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Waiter and Waitress employment.
  • At $29,375/year, North Carolina Waiter and Waitress salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $32,280/year.