How does Cooks, Restaurant salary grow from entry-level to senior in North Carolina? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.
91% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2024 • North Carolina salary data • Updated 2026-04-06
The salary range for Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina spans from $23,040 at entry-level to $44,010 at senior level — a difference of $20,970 per year.
Senior Cooks, Restaurants in North Carolina earn $20,970 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Cooks, Restaurant salary increases with experience in North Carolina, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $23,040 | $1,920 | $11.08 |
| Early Career | P25 | $28,670 | $2,389 | $13.78 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $34,020 | $2,835 | $16.36 |
| Experienced | P75 | $36,840 | $3,070 | $17.71 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $44,010 | $3,668 | $21.16 |
Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina has a moderate salary progression with a 91% growth from entry-level ($23,040) to senior ($44,010). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($34,020) and P90 ($44,010) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does North Carolina rank for Cooks, Restaurant senior-level salaries? Compare North Carolina's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
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Entry-level Cooks, Restaurants (10th percentile) earn approximately $23,040 per year, or $1,920 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $28,670. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Cooks, Restaurants (90th percentile) earn approximately $44,010 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $36,840. This represents a career premium of 91% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Cooks, Restaurants is 91%. Entry-level professionals start at $23,040, while senior-level can earn up to $44,010 — a difference of $20,970 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Cooks, Restaurants is North Carolina, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $44,010 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
Salary percentile data for North Carolina from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within North Carolina.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS