Winston-Salem, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Winston-Salem, NC

In the Winston-Salem, NC metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $27,900 ($13.41/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,300/year and the 90th was $35,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $23,981 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$27,900$13.41 per hour · $2,325 monthly
10th Percentile$21,300$10.24/hr base
25th Percentile$22,800$10.96/hr base
75th Percentile$33,500$16.11/hr base
90th Percentile$35,900$17.26/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

$27,900
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$27,900
Net 86%
Fed 4%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$23,981After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,998Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$922Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,180 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$604 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,134 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.24/hr$1,775$21,300$18,809
25th Percentile$10.96/hr$1,900$22,800$19,985
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.41/hr$2,325$27,900$23,981
75th Percentile$16.11/hr$2,792$33,500$28,269
90th Percentile$17.26/hr$2,992$35,900$30,102

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Winston-Salem, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$27,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,975Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.08% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.3%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 Winston-Salem, NC

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

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Winston-Salem, NC is $27,900, which equates to approximately $2,325 per month or $13.41 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Winston-Salem, NC is $13.41 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.24/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.26/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Winston-Salem, NC span from $21,300 at the 10th percentile to $22,800 at the 25th, $33,500 at the 75th, and $35,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $27,900, an estimated $23,981 lands in net take-home pay per year ($922 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,919 (an effective rate of 14%).

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

On the median annual salary of $27,900, gross monthly income is $2,325. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,998 per month (or $922 every two weeks).

Is $27,900 a good salary in Winston-Salem, NC?

At $27,900, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 42.3% of the Winston-Salem, NC median household income ($65,975). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.0, making regional consumer goods and services 8% cheaper than the U.S. average.