📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$60,697
per year
Median
$56,848
per year
Hourly
$29.18
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,249
25th Percentile — Junior$48,289
50th Percentile — Median$56,848
75th Percentile — Senior$73,130
90th Percentile — Top Earners$82,515
💡 Top-earning Chefs and Head Cookss in North Carolina make up to $82,515 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$52.4k
2021
$53.9k
2022
$55.5k
2023
$57.2k
2024
$58.9k
2025
$60.7k
2026
📈 Chefs and Head Cooks salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Chefs and Head Cooks Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $58,269 -4.0% High
Raleigh $59,483 -2.0% High
Greensboro $54,627 -10.0% High
Durham $58,876 -3.0% High
Winston-Salem $52,806 -13.0% High
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Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Chefs and Head Cookss. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $60,697 per year, North Carolina's Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $37,249–$48,289, while experienced Chefs and Head Cookss can command $73,130–$82,515.

Looking ahead, the Chefs and Head Cooks profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in North Carolina is $60,697 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $66,700.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Chefs and Head Cookss the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Chefs and Head Cooks employment.
  • At $60,697/year, North Carolina Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $66,700/year.