Cooks, Fast Food pay in Raleigh-Cary
In Raleigh-Cary (NC), the median pay for cooks, fast food is $13.57 an hour ($28,220 a year). About 11,500 people work in this job there.
That is 9% lower than the U.S. median ($30,890). It is 4% higher than the North Carolina median ($27,190).
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Raleigh-Cary (NC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.86 | $22,590 |
| 25% of workers | $11.63 | $24,180 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.57 | $28,220 |
| 75% of workers | $14.24 | $29,630 |
| 90% of workers | $16.45 | $34,220 |
Cooks, Fast Food pay in North Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $29,190 | 4,520 |
| Raleigh-Cary (this page) | $28,220 | 11,500 |
| Asheville | $28,120 | 2,570 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $27,880 | 6,850 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $27,690 | 15,830 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $27,550 | 2,650 |
| Wilmington | $27,500 | 3,880 |
| Burlington | $27,450 | 1,680 |
| Winston-Salem | $27,280 | 6,120 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $26,610 | 730 |
| Rocky Mount | $23,710 | 1,260 |
| Greenville | $23,600 | 1,780 |
| Fayetteville | $23,430 | 3,890 |
| Jacksonville | $22,900 | 1,830 |
| Goldsboro | $22,510 | 1,110 |
North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, fast food
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.6% over ten years, little or no change · about 86,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary (NC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,080 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,280 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $29,470 |
| Bakers | $36,210 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,460 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.