Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

In the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-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 $22,600/year and the 90th was $38,200/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 97.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,700$14.28 per hour · $2,475 monthly
10th Percentile$22,600$10.87/hr base
25th Percentile$24,300$11.68/hr base
75th Percentile$35,700$17.16/hr base
90th Percentile$38,200$18.37/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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.87/hr$1,883$22,600$19,828
25th Percentile$11.68/hr$2,025$24,300$21,160
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.28/hr$2,475$29,700$25,368
75th Percentile$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$29,949
90th Percentile$18.37/hr$3,183$38,200$31,858

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-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$82,330Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.92.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio36.1%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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $14.28 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.87/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.37/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC span from $22,600 at the 10th percentile to $24,300 at the 25th, $35,700 at the 75th, and $38,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

At $29,700, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 36.1% of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC median household income ($82,330). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.9, making regional consumer goods and services 2.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.