North Carolina Median
$28,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#35 of 51
92,230 employed here
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in North Carolina?
Fast Food and Counter Workers working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $28,570 per year, or about $13.74 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $31,200 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $21,800 while the top 10% make $36,820 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,370 and $34,370 a year.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,800 | $10.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $23,370 | $11.24 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $28,570 | $13.74 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $34,370 | $16.52 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,820 | $17.70 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other states
California $42,280Washington $37,710District of Columbia $37,430Colorado $36,270Vermont $36,030Massachusetts $35,850Connecticut $35,380Hawaii $35,250New York $35,250Oregon $35,050Maine $34,710Arizona $34,230New Jersey $34,150Illinois $33,910Maryland $33,660Alaska $33,280Nevada $31,950New Hampshire $31,590Rhode Island $31,490Minnesota $31,370Delaware $31,300Missouri $30,390Virginia $30,110North Dakota $30,080South Dakota $29,490Montana $29,090Florida $29,080Nebraska $29,000Idaho $28,940Michigan $28,930Indiana $28,790New Mexico $28,700Utah $28,670Wisconsin $28,600Pennsylvania $28,570Ohio $28,430Iowa $28,390Wyoming $27,860Texas $27,740Kansas $27,580South Carolina $27,520Tennessee $27,470Kentucky $27,130Georgia $26,920Arkansas $26,250West Virginia $26,070Alabama $23,700Oklahoma $23,430Louisiana $22,800Mississippi $22,610
Working as Fast Food and Counter Workers in North Carolina
Nationally, about 3,854,000 people work as Fast Food and Counter Workers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($28,570) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in North Carolina?
The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in North Carolina is $28,570 per year, or about $13.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,800 at the entry level to $36,820 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Fast Food and Counter Workers about 8% less than the national median of $31,200. North Carolina ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,570 a year. About 92,230 Fast Food and Counter Workers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Fast Food and Counter Workers salary report
Related salaries
$34,340
median pay · 756,000 employed
$30,890
median pay · 641,000 employed
$35,230
median pay · 2,271,000 employed
$37,450
median pay · 441,000 employed
$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed
$35,880
median pay · 139,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.