Cashier Salary in Hickory, NC
Cashiers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median $27,570 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $23,723 take-home, or $1,977 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cashier salary in Hickory, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,147
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,709
- Medicare (1.45%)$400
- North Carolina income tax$591
- Take-home pay$23,723
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cashier pay by experience in Hickory, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,150 | $10.65 | $19,475 | $1,623 |
| 25th percentile | $24,610 | $11.83 | $21,403 | $1,784 |
| Median (50th) | $27,570 | $13.25 | $23,723 | $1,977 |
| 75th percentile | $30,970 | $14.89 | $26,337 | $2,195 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,530 | $16.60 | $29,056 | $2,421 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $27,570 buys in Hickory, NC
Prices in Hickory, NC are 11.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 40% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cashier's $23,723 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,809 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cashier jobs are about as common in Hickory, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.13).
Best-paying cities for cashiers, adjusted for cost of living
Hickory, NC ranks #136 of 202 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,210 | $37,703 | $33,926 |
| 2 | Rochester, MN | $34,960 | $29,219 | $32,172 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $42,960 | $35,432 | $32,088 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $33,420 | $29,033 | $31,950 |
| 5 | Kennewick, WA | $36,610 | $31,596 | $31,571 |
| 6 | Duluth, MN | $33,020 | $27,764 | $31,277 |
| 7 | Spokane, WA | $36,290 | $31,339 | $31,231 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $32,480 | $27,359 | $31,220 |
| 136 | Hickory, NC | $27,570 | $23,723 | $26,809 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 202 metros →
About the job: cashiers
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.5% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cashier salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Greensboro, NC — $28,630
- Winston, NC — $28,130
- Durham, NC — $29,920
- Asheville, NC — $29,400
- Charlotte, NC — $29,610
- Raleigh, NC — $29,770
- Fayetteville, NC — $27,390
- Wilmington, NC — $28,520
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cashier make in Hickory, NC?
The median cashier salary in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $27,570 a year, or about $13.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24,610 and $30,970.
What is a cashier’s take-home pay in Hickory, NC?
On the median $27,570 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $23,723 a year ($1,977 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $591 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Hickory, NC a good place to work as a cashier?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $32,880. Local prices are 11.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,809 would in a typical U.S. city. Hickory, NC ranks #136 of 202 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cashier afford rent in Hickory, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Hickory, NC is $908 a month ($1,095 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median cashier’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Hickory, NC
- Retail Salesperson — $30,520