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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in North Carolina
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in North Carolina?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$35,400
Median Annual Salary
▲
+0.5% vs 2024
$35,140
Mean Salary
$35,400
Median Salary
$17.02
Hourly Rate
50,150 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in North Carolina
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina earn a median salary of $35,400 per year ($2,950/month).
This is 6.1% below the national average of $37,684.
North Carolina ranks #40 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 50,150 people work in this occupation across North Carolina.
Salaries increased by 0.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.1
Customer and Personal Service
3.89
English Language
3.56
Production and Processing
3.0
Administration and Management
2.92
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina range from $27,980 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $45,450 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $29,690 and $38,170.
Median $35,400
P10: $27,980P25: $29,690P75: $38,170P90: $45,450
10th
$27,980
25th
$29,690
Median
$35,400
75th
$38,170
90th
$45,450
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$27,980
$13.45
$2,331
25th Percentile
$29,690
$14.27
$2,474
Median (50th)
$35,400
$17.02
$2,950
75th Percentile
$38,170
$18.35
$3,180
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$45,450
$21.85
$3,787
Note: The mean (average) salary of $35,140 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in North Carolina?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina is $35,400 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $35,140.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina range from $27,980 at the 10th percentile to $45,450 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $29,690 and $38,170.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in North Carolina typically start around $27,980 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $29,690 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 50,150 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in North Carolina is approximately $17.02 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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