Waiters and Waitresses pay in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $15.46 an hour ($32,150 a year). About 71,940 people work in this job there.
That is 9% lower than the U.S. median ($35,230). North Carolina ranks 27th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in North Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $8.24 | $17,140 |
| 25% of workers | $10.00 | $20,800 |
| Half of workers (median) | $15.46 | $32,150 |
| 75% of workers | $23.34 | $48,550 |
| 90% of workers | $30.13 | $62,670 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in North Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $36,430 | 19,990 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $35,230 | 3,560 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $34,860 | 10,290 |
| Asheville | $34,450 | 3,250 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $34,080 | 1,040 |
| Wilmington | $30,610 | 4,920 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $30,060 | 5,210 |
| Winston-Salem | $29,550 | 3,940 |
| Fayetteville | $29,520 | 1,980 |
| Burlington | $29,330 | 1,100 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $29,310 | 2,000 |
| Jacksonville | $28,870 | 1,140 |
| Greenville | $28,680 | 1,310 |
| Goldsboro | $28,530 | 640 |
| Rocky Mount | $26,900 | 580 |
North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for waiters and waitresses
- 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: +2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 423,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,010 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,260 |
| Bartenders | $36,470 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,320 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,560 |
| Food Service Managers | $74,080 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,460 |
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.