Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,210
- 25th Percentile — Junior$48,360
- 50th Percentile — Median$61,130
- 75th Percentile — Senior$76,330
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$92,210
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in North Carolina earn more than $61,130. The top 10% make $92,210 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,210.
Chefs and Head Cooks in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 30th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $63,960 per year (4.1% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 4,920 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in North Carolina — 2.5% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.77: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,210; the top 10% earn over $92,210.
- Hourly equivalent: $30.75 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in North Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($46,550).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $63,960 on average, placing the state 30th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $63,960 is roughly equivalent to $70,286 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($65,930), Virginia ($65,320), West Virginia ($64,600) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,550/yr North Carolina 27.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $41,200/yr North Carolina 35.6% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $37,850/yr North Carolina 40.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $36,130/yr North Carolina 43.5% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,140/yr North Carolina 45.1% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,050/yr North Carolina 54.6% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,690/yr North Carolina 56.7% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,080/yr North Carolina 57.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in North Carolina?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in North Carolina is $63,960 per year (median $61,130), which is 4.1% below the national average of $66,700.
How does North Carolina rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
North Carolina ranks 30th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in North Carolina earn about $38,210 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,360.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in North Carolina?
About $30.75 per hour, based on the $63,960 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 4,920 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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