Cooks Restaurant Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$27,980
- 25th Percentile — Junior$29,690
- 50th Percentile — Median$35,400
- 75th Percentile — Senior$38,170
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$45,450
Half of Cooks Restaurant in North Carolina earn more than $35,400. The top 10% make $45,450 or more, while entry-level workers start around $27,980.
Cooks Restaurant in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for Cooks Restaurant pay, at $35,140 per year (9.3% below the U.S. average of $38,730).
- 50,150 people work as Cooks Restaurant in North Carolina — 3.6% of all U.S. Cooks Restaurant jobs.
- Location quotient 1.12: Cooks Restaurant jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,980; the top 10% earn over $45,450.
- Hourly equivalent: $16.89 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $47,200.
- Among hospitality jobs in North Carolina, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($63,960).
Cooks Restaurant 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. Cooks Restaurant here earn $35,140 on average, placing the state 39th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $35,140 is roughly equivalent to $38,615 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Pennsylvania ($35,750), Iowa ($35,700), South Carolina ($35,610) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Restaurant 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
- Chefs and Head Cooks $63,960/yr North Carolina +82.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,550/yr North Carolina +32.5% vs this role
- Bartenders $41,200/yr North Carolina +17.2% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $37,850/yr North Carolina +7.7% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $36,130/yr North Carolina +2.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,050/yr North Carolina 17.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,690/yr North Carolina 21.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,080/yr North Carolina 22.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Restaurant salary in North Carolina?
The average Cooks Restaurant salary in North Carolina is $35,140 per year (median $35,400), which is 9.3% below the national average of $38,730.
How does North Carolina rank for Cooks Restaurant pay?
North Carolina ranks 39th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($47,200/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Restaurant make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Restaurant in North Carolina earn about $27,980 per year and the 25th percentile is $29,690.
How much do Cooks Restaurant make per hour in North Carolina?
About $16.89 per hour, based on the $35,140 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Restaurant work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 50,150 Cooks Restaurant jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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