📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Cooks Restaurant Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Very High Demand

Average
$37,565
per year
Median
$34,835
per year
Hourly
$18.06
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$26,326
25th Percentile — Junior$32,332
50th Percentile — Median$34,835
75th Percentile — Senior$45,846
90th Percentile — Top Earners$50,467
💡 Top-earning Cooks Restaurants in North Carolina make up to $50,467 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
$32.4k
2021
$33.4k
2022
$34.4k
2023
$35.4k
2024
$36.5k
2025
$37.6k
2026
📈 Cooks Restaurant 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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Cooks Restaurant Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $36,062 -4.0% Very High
Raleigh $36,814 -2.0% Very High
Greensboro $33,808 -10.0% Very High
Durham $36,438 -3.0% Very High
Winston-Salem $32,682 -13.0% Very High
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Cooks Restaurant Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Cooks Restaurants. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $37,565 per year, North Carolina's Cooks Restaurant 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 $26,326–$32,332, while experienced Cooks Restaurants can command $45,846–$50,467.

Looking ahead, the Cooks Restaurant 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 Cooks Restaurant salary in North Carolina is $37,565 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $41,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Cooks Restaurants 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 Cooks Restaurant employment.
  • At $37,565/year, North Carolina Cooks Restaurant salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $41,280/year.