occupation · 35-3031 · North Carolina
Waiters and Waitresses in North Carolina
Waiters and Waitresses earned a median annual wage of $28,460 in North Carolina in May 2024, with 74,110 people employed, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
What stands out
Waiters and Waitresses earned a median annual wage of $28,460 in North Carolina in May 2024, with 74,110 people employed, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The lowest-paid tenth earned $17,210 or less, the best-paid tenth $58,390 or more. Since May 2020 the median moved from $19,410 to $28,460, +46.6 %. Among the 54 states with data, North Carolina ranks 34 by median wage for this occupation. The national median is $33,760; North Carolina is -15.7 % against it. Wages are as published by BLS for May of each year; '≥ $239,200' is BLS's top code for May 2024 (the cap changes by year). Every value links to its fact record.
North Carolina, year by year
Annual wages at the median, mean and four percentiles; employment is the May estimate.
| Reference | Employment | Median | Mean | 10th | 25th | 75th | 90th | Median hourly | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | 74,110 | $28,460 | $32,670 | $17,210 | $18,440 | $39,600 | $58,390 | $13.68 | evidence → |
| May 2023 | 71,840 | $21,060 | $29,990 | $17,200 | $18,070 | $36,320 | $56,200 | $10.12 | evidence → |
| May 2022 | 69,440 | $21,110 | $27,890 | $16,730 | $17,950 | $31,220 | $48,580 | $10.15 | evidence → |
| May 2021 | 62,700 | $18,480 | $23,170 | $17,040 | $17,660 | $23,650 | $36,650 | $8.88 | evidence → |
| May 2020 | 61,020 | $19,410 | $22,690 | $16,620 | $17,670 | $24,960 | $35,000 | $9.33 | evidence → |
Metropolitan areas in North Carolina
Median annual wage for this occupation, May 2024.
| Metro area | Median annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | $29,820 | 4,380 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $29,780 | 3,650 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $29,450 | 11,110 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $29,210 | 1,020 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $28,990 | 20,100 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $28,940 | 4,870 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $26,960 | 1,110 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $26,580 | 2,070 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $26,000 | 1,900 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $25,090 | 600 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $23,690 | 680 |
| Burlington, NC | $23,420 | 1,190 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $22,580 | 3,970 |
| Greenville, NC | $22,240 | 1,260 |
| Wilmington, NC | $21,540 | 5,050 |
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