How much does a chef and head cook make in Durham?
$66,090a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area. That is $31.77 an hour or $5,508 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.77
- Vs. national median
- +6%
- Rank among cities
- 60 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 270
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $47,440Median: $66,090Highest 10%: $93,670
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,440 | $22.81 | |
| 25th | $52,660 | $25.32 | |
| Median | $66,090 | $31.77 | |
| 75th | $76,760 | $36.90 | |
| 90th | $93,670 | $45.03 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Charlotte, NC | $64,260 |
| Pinehurst, NC | $62,260 |
| Raleigh, NC | $61,190 |
| Greenville, NC | $60,400 |
| Asheville, NC | $60,390 |
| 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 Durham
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $46,150 |
| Cook | $38,970 |
| Bartender | $37,110 |
| Cook | $36,170 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $35,230 |
| Cook | $35,040 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,560 |
| Food Server | $34,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $34,480 |
| Dishwasher | $33,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Durham?
The median hourly pay in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $31.77 ($66,090 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Durham than the national average?
Yes: $66,090 against $62,470 nationally, 6% more.
How does Durham compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $61,130, so Durham pays 8% more.
Where does Durham rank for chef and head cook pay?
60 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% make $47,440 or less a year; the top 10% make $93,670 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.