Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Central North Carolina

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $23,350 -22.6% vs national
Median hourly $11.23
10th percentile $21,640
90th percentile $28,560
Employed locally 6,300
National median $30,160

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Cooks, Fast Food
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Central North Carolina
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,640
    25th
    $22,510
    50th (median)
    $23,350
    75th
    $27,540
    90th
    $28,560

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Fast Food

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $41,800
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $40,580
    Hawaii $40,300
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $39,260
    Napa, CA $39,210

    Related occupations in Central North Carolina

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,000
    Waiters and Waitresses$27,360
    Cooks, Restaurant$30,110
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,700
    Food Preparation Workers$26,380
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$30,350

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Fast Food make per hour in Central North Carolina?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Central North Carolina is $11.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.36 or more per hour.

    Is Central North Carolina above or below average for Cooks, Fast Food salaries?

    The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in Central North Carolina is 22.6% below the national median of $30,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Central North Carolina?

    Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food (10th percentile) earn around $21,640 per year in Central North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,510.