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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in North Carolina
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in North Carolina?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$36,140
Median Annual Salary
▲
+4.5% vs 2024
$36,130
Mean Salary
$36,140
Median Salary
$17.38
Hourly Rate
11,170 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in North Carolina
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina earn a median salary of $36,140 per year ($3,011/month).
This is 6.6% below the national average of $38,684.
North Carolina ranks #35 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 11,170 people work in this occupation across North Carolina.
Salaries increased by 4.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Top Skills
Speaking
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Service Orientation
3.12
Operations Monitoring
3.12
Quality Control Analysis
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
3.6
Food Production
3.58
Customer and Personal Service
3.56
Mathematics
3.54
Administration and Management
3.34
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(71.1% of workers)
Salary Range: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina range from $28,050 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $45,130 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $31,290 and $39,610.
Median $36,140
P10: $28,050P25: $31,290P75: $39,610P90: $45,130
10th
$28,050
25th
$31,290
Median
$36,140
75th
$39,610
90th
$45,130
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$28,050
$13.49
$2,337
25th Percentile
$31,290
$15.04
$2,607
Median (50th)
$36,140
$17.38
$3,011
75th Percentile
$39,610
$19.04
$3,300
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$45,130
$21.70
$3,760
Note: The mean (average) salary of $36,130 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#35
North Carolina ranks #35 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in North Carolina?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina is $36,140 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $36,130.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina range from $28,050 at the 10th percentile to $45,130 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $31,290 and $39,610.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in North Carolina typically start around $28,050 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $31,290 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 11,170 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina is approximately $17.38 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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