Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $29,600 ($14.23/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,600/year and the 90th was $38,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,291 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,600$14.23 per hour · $2,467 monthly
10th Percentile$22,600$10.87/hr base
25th Percentile$24,200$11.63/hr base
75th Percentile$35,600$17.12/hr base
90th Percentile$38,100$18.32/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

$29,600
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,600
Net 85%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,291After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,108Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$973Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,372 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$672 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,264 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.87/hr$1,883$22,600$19,828
25th Percentile$11.63/hr$2,017$24,200$21,082
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$25,291
75th Percentile$17.12/hr$2,967$35,600$29,873
90th Percentile$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$31,782

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $29,600, which equates to approximately $2,467 per month or $14.23 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $14.23 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.87/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.32/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $22,600 at the 10th percentile to $24,200 at the 25th, $35,600 at the 75th, and $38,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $29,600, an estimated $25,291 lands in net take-home pay per year ($973 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,309 (an effective rate of 14.6%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $29,600, gross monthly income is $2,467. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,108 per month (or $973 every two weeks).

Is $29,600 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $29,600, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 35.4% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.