Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $29,500 ($14.18/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,500/year and the 90th was $38,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,215 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,500$14.18 per hour · $2,458 monthly
10th Percentile$22,500$10.82/hr base
25th Percentile$24,100$11.59/hr base
75th Percentile$35,500$17.07/hr base
90th Percentile$38,000$18.27/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$29,500
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,500
Net 85%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,215After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,101Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$970Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,360 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$668 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,257 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.82/hr$1,875$22,500$19,750
25th Percentile$11.59/hr$2,008$24,100$21,003
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.18/hr$2,458$29,500$25,215
75th Percentile$17.07/hr$2,958$35,500$29,797
90th Percentile$18.27/hr$3,167$38,000$31,706

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,304Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.32.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio35.4%of area median income

Compare fast food or counter workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $29,500, which equates to approximately $2,458 per month or $14.18 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $14.18 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.82/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.27/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC span from $22,500 at the 10th percentile to $24,100 at the 25th, $35,500 at the 75th, and $38,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

On a median gross salary of $29,500, an estimated $25,215 lands in net take-home pay per year ($970 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,285 (an effective rate of 14.5%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

On the median annual salary of $29,500, gross monthly income is $2,458. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,101 per month (or $970 every two weeks).

Is $29,500 a good salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

At $29,500, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 35.4% of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC median household income ($83,304). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.3, making regional consumer goods and services 2.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.