The 2026 N.C. State Fair will return to Raleigh from Oct. 15–25, and organizers are recruiting seasonal employees for a wide range of positions across the event footprint. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting applications for roles that include customer-facing jobs, supervisory cash roles and event operations staff.
What’s being hired and pay
Open positions listed by organizers include Exhibit Worker, Competition Judge, Booth Worker, Ticket Taker, Ticket Seller, Head Cashier, Exhibit Manager, Gateman, Information Booth Attendant, Public Announcer, Receptionist and Cash Room Worker. Pay for seasonal roles will range from $15 to $22 per hour, depending on the job.
- Dates: Oct. 15–25, 2026
- Location: 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
- Pay range: $15–$22 per hour
- Background checks: required for Head Cashier, Cash Room Worker and Ticket Seller
Application and requirements
Applicants should apply through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' hiring portal. Organizers have emphasized that some positions require background checks; those checks apply specifically to the Head Cashier, Cash Room Worker and Ticket Seller roles.
"A memory worth making... a story worth telling."
The fair’s theme for 2026 is the line above, promoted by organizers as a focus for programming and exhibits. For Raleigh-area residents, the fair presents both short-term job opportunities and expectations for increased visitor traffic that can affect downtown and neighborhood commerce during the event window.
Local impact and context
Seasonal hiring for the State Fair matters to Raleigh and Wake County residents in several ways: it provides temporary work for students, part-time employees and those seeking supplemental income; it supports vendors and local businesses that rely on fair crowds; and it influences traffic and public safety planning around the fairgrounds on Trinity Road. Organizers did not release exact counts of open positions.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event dates | Oct. 15–25, 2026 |
| Location | 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh |
| Pay range | $15–$22 per hour |
| Positions with background checks | Head Cashier, Cash Room Worker, Ticket Seller |
Residents interested in applying should visit the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website for job listings and application instructions. The State Fair is one of the larger seasonal employers in the city each fall, and hiring announcements typically draw interest from students and service-industry workers across Wake County and the region.
