Raleigh-Cary, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC

In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $29,700 ($14.28/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,700/year and the 90th was $38,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,368 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 98.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,700$14.28 per hour · $2,475 monthly
10th Percentile$22,700$10.91/hr base
25th Percentile$24,300$11.68/hr base
75th Percentile$35,800$17.21/hr base
90th Percentile$38,300$18.41/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

$29,700
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,700
Net 85%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,368After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,114Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$976Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,384 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$676 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,272 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Raleigh-Cary, 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.91/hr$1,892$22,700$19,906
25th Percentile$11.68/hr$2,025$24,300$21,160
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.28/hr$2,475$29,700$25,368
75th Percentile$17.21/hr$2,983$35,800$30,026
90th Percentile$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$31,935

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Raleigh-Cary, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$100,103Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index98.21.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio29.7%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 Raleigh-Cary, NC

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $29,700, which equates to approximately $2,475 per month or $14.28 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $14.28 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.91/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.41/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Raleigh-Cary, NC span from $22,700 at the 10th percentile to $24,300 at the 25th, $35,800 at the 75th, and $38,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

On a median gross salary of $29,700, an estimated $25,368 lands in net take-home pay per year ($976 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,332 (an effective rate of 14.6%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

On the median annual salary of $29,700, gross monthly income is $2,475. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,114 per month (or $976 every two weeks).

Is $29,700 a good salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

At $29,700, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 29.7% of the Raleigh-Cary, NC median household income ($100,103). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 98.2, making regional consumer goods and services 1.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.