How much does a chef and head cook make in Raleigh?
$61,190a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area. That is $29.42 an hour or $5,099 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.42
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 129 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 820
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,790Median: $61,190Highest 10%: $96,840
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,790 | $16.73 | |
| 25th | $47,270 | $22.73 | |
| Median | $61,190 | $29.42 | |
| 75th | $76,840 | $36.94 | |
| 90th | $96,840 | $46.56 |
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 |
| 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 Raleigh
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $46,020 |
| Cook | $37,460 |
| Cook | $36,280 |
| Bartender | $36,120 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $34,860 |
| Food Server | $32,470 |
| Dishwasher | $31,300 |
| Cook | $31,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $29,890 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Raleigh?
The median hourly pay in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $29.42 ($61,190 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Raleigh than the national average?
No: $61,190 against $62,470 nationally, 2% less.
How does Raleigh compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $61,130, so Raleigh pays 0% more.
Where does Raleigh rank for chef and head cook pay?
129 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Raleigh?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,790 or less a year; the top 10% make $96,840 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.