📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$56,420
per year
Median
$48,576
per year
Hourly
$27.12
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$33,574
25th Percentile — Junior$45,637
50th Percentile — Median$48,576
75th Percentile — Senior$72,778
90th Percentile — Top Earners$83,603
💡 Top-earning Chefs and Head Cookss in North Carolina make up to $83,603 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
$46.4k
2021
$48.2k
2022
$50.2k
2023
$52.2k
2024
$54.2k
2025
$56.4k
2026
📈 Chefs and Head Cooks salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 4.0% annual growth. The strong presence 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 $54,163 -4.0% Medium
Raleigh $55,292 -2.0% Medium
Greensboro $50,778 -10.0% Medium
Durham $54,727 -3.0% Medium
Winston-Salem $49,085 -13.0% Medium
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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 $56,420 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 $33,574–$45,637, while experienced Chefs and Head Cookss can command $72,778–$83,603.

Looking ahead, the Chefs and Head Cooks profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 4.0% 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 $56,420 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $62,000.
  • 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 $56,420/year, North Carolina Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $62,000/year.