Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Western North Carolina

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

Median annual salary $26,760 -11.3% vs national
Median hourly $12.86
10th percentile $21,840
90th percentile $33,330
Employed locally 5,440
National median $30,160

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Cooks, Fast Food
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Western North Carolina
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,840
    25th
    $22,910
    50th (median)
    $26,760
    75th
    $28,550
    90th
    $33,330

    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 Western North Carolina

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,570
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,710
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,590
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,810
    Food Preparation Workers $28,540
    Bartenders $30,840

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Western North Carolina is $12.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.26 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in Western North Carolina is 11.3% 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 Western North Carolina?

    Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food (10th percentile) earn around $21,840 per year in Western North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,910.