How much does a chef and head cook make in North Carolina?
$61,130a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in North Carolina. That is $29.39 an hour or $5,094 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.39
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among states
- 29 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 4,920
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,210Median: $61,130Highest 10%: $92,210
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,210 | $18.37 | |
| 25th | $48,360 | $23.25 | |
| Median | $61,130 | $29.39 | |
| 75th | $76,330 | $36.70 | |
| 90th | $92,210 | $44.33 |
Cities in North Carolina
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Durham, NC | $66,090 |
| 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 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $57,920 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $57,830 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $57,730 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $55,550 |
| Burlington, NC | $55,530 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for chef and head cooks.
| 26. Maryland | $61,590 |
| 27. Delaware | $61,440 |
| 28. Wisconsin | $61,300 |
| 29. North Carolina | $61,130 |
| 30. West Virginia | $61,100 |
| 31. Nebraska | $60,510 |
| 32. Michigan | $60,070 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in North Carolina?
The median hourly pay in North Carolina is $29.39 ($61,130 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in North Carolina than the national average?
No: $61,130 against $62,470 nationally, 2% less.
Where does North Carolina rank for chef and head cook pay?
North Carolina ranks 29 of 51 states.
Which city in North Carolina pays chef and head cooks the most?
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, with a median of $66,090 a year.
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.