How much does a chef and head cook make in Asheville?
$60,390a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Asheville, NC metro area. That is $29.03 an hour or $5,033 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.03
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 143 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 290
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,010Median: $60,390Highest 10%: $84,420
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,010 | $18.27 | |
| 25th | $49,990 | $24.03 | |
| Median | $60,390 | $29.03 | |
| 75th | $73,950 | $35.55 | |
| 90th | $84,420 | $40.59 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Durham, NC | $66,090 |
| Charlotte, NC | $64,260 |
| Pinehurst, NC | $62,260 |
| Raleigh, NC | $61,190 |
| Greenville, NC | $60,400 |
| Hickory, NC | $59,480 |
| Greensboro, NC | $59,160 |
| Wilmington, NC | $58,120 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $57,830 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $57,730 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $55,550 |
| Burlington, NC | $55,530 |
Related jobs in Asheville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,960 |
| Cook | $37,550 |
| Cook | $36,590 |
| Bartender | $35,380 |
| Food Server | $35,040 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $34,450 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,110 |
| Dishwasher | $31,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $30,450 |
| Host and Hostess | $30,090 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Asheville?
The median hourly pay in the Asheville, NC metro area is $29.03 ($60,390 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Asheville than the national average?
No: $60,390 against $62,470 nationally, 3% less.
How does Asheville compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $61,130, so Asheville pays 1% less.
Where does Asheville rank for chef and head cook pay?
143 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Asheville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,010 or less a year; the top 10% make $84,420 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.