📖 Read the cooks, restaurant salary & career guide →
Cooks, Restaurant Salary in North Carolina
Ranked #39 of 51 · NC
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of cooks, restaurants in North Carolina earn between $27,980 and $45,450. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean cooks, restaurant salary in North Carolina is $35,140, about 9.3% below the U.S. average ($38,730). That works out to roughly $17/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $37,030 | $37,110 | 14,430 |
| Asheville, NC | $36,590 | $37,000 | 2,480 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $36,280 | $36,350 | 7,160 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $36,170 | $36,050 | 2,660 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $35,690 | $34,630 | 670 |
| Wilmington, NC | $34,940 | $34,140 | 3,440 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $34,600 | $33,630 | 2,580 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $34,550 | $34,040 | 3,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cooks, restaurant make in North Carolina?
The median cooks, restaurant salary in North Carolina is $35,400 per year (mean $35,140), and about 80% earn between $27,980 and $45,450.
How much do cooks, restaurant make per hour in North Carolina?
Roughly $17 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $35,140 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is North Carolina a high-paying state for cooks, restaurant?
North Carolina ranks #39 of 51 states for cooks, restaurant pay. Its mean salary of $35,140 is about 9.3% below the U.S. average of $38,730.
Which metro areas in North Carolina pay cooks, restaurant the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in North Carolina for cooks, restaurant are Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($37,030), Asheville, NC ($36,590), Raleigh-Cary, NC ($36,280), by median annual wage.