Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Pinehurst, NC
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC metro area earn a median $27,200 a year — 13% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $23,433 take-home, or $1,953 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Pinehurst, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,110
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,686
- Medicare (1.45%)$394
- North Carolina income tax$577
- Take-home pay$23,433
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.99% state
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Pinehurst, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,960 | $10.08 | $18,543 | $1,545 |
| 25th percentile | $22,220 | $10.68 | $19,530 | $1,628 |
| Median (50th) | $27,200 | $13.08 | $23,433 | $1,953 |
| 75th percentile | $32,750 | $15.75 | $27,697 | $2,308 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,680 | $17.63 | $30,698 | $2,558 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $27,200 buys in Pinehurst, NC
Prices in Pinehurst, NC are 11.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 41% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $23,433 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,527 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fast Food and Counter Worker jobs are about as common in Pinehurst, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for fast food and counter workers, adjusted for cost of living
Pinehurst, NC ranks #181 of 386 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanford, CA | $42,060 | $34,757 | $34,205 |
| 2 | El Centro, CA | $38,840 | $32,340 | $33,980 |
| 3 | Modesto, CA | $42,630 | $35,184 | $33,796 |
| 4 | Vallejo, CA | $44,110 | $36,295 | $33,458 |
| 5 | Yuba City, CA | $42,040 | $34,742 | $33,331 |
| 6 | Santa Rosa, CA | $43,610 | $35,920 | $33,326 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $44,570 | $36,640 | $33,182 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $42,860 | $35,357 | $33,146 |
| 181 | Pinehurst, NC | $27,200 | $23,433 | $26,527 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 386 metros →
Fast Food and Counter Worker salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Goldsboro, NC — $28,070
- Greenville, NC — $28,000
- Hickory, NC — $27,580
- Winston, NC — $28,640
- Rocky Mount, NC — $26,850
- Fayetteville, NC — $28,170
- Greensboro, NC — $28,200
- Durham, NC — $29,170
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Pinehurst, NC?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC metro area is $27,200 a year, or about $13.08 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $22,220 and $32,750.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Pinehurst, NC?
On the median $27,200 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $23,433 a year ($1,953 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $577 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Pinehurst, NC a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 13% below the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 11.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,527 would in a typical U.S. city. Pinehurst, NC ranks #181 of 386 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Pinehurst, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Pinehurst, NC is $1,239 a month ($1,358 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Pinehurst, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,680
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,690
- Waiter and Waitress — $34,080
- Cooks, Fast Food — $26,610