How much does a food server make in North Carolina?
$31,460a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in North Carolina. That is $15.13 an hour or $2,622 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.13
- Vs. national median
- -11%
- Rank among states
- 38 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 8,820
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,760Median: $31,460Highest 10%: $40,110
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,760 | $11.42 | |
| 25th | $27,880 | $13.40 | |
| Median | $31,460 | $15.13 | |
| 75th | $37,540 | $18.05 | |
| 90th | $40,110 | $19.28 |
Cities in North Carolina
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,980 |
| Asheville, NC | $35,040 |
| Wilmington, NC | $34,810 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $34,710 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $34,620 |
| Durham, NC | $34,500 |
| Charlotte, NC | $33,550 |
| Raleigh, NC | $32,470 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $31,460 |
| Hickory, NC | $31,370 |
| Pinehurst, NC | $30,790 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $29,730 |
| Greensboro, NC | $29,030 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28,760 |
| Burlington, NC | $28,670 |
| Greenville, NC | $27,370 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food servers.
| 35. South Carolina | $31,740 |
| 36. Nebraska | $31,540 |
| 37. Georgia | $31,530 |
| 38. North Carolina | $31,460 |
| 39. Delaware | $31,430 |
| 40. Tennessee | $30,670 |
| 41. Ohio | $30,440 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in North Carolina?
The median hourly pay in North Carolina is $15.13 ($31,460 a year).
Do food servers make more in North Carolina than the national average?
No: $31,460 against $35,360 nationally, 11% less.
Where does North Carolina rank for food server pay?
North Carolina ranks 38 of 51 states.
Which city in North Carolina pays food servers the most?
Goldsboro, NC, with a median of $38,980 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.