How much does a cook make in North Carolina?
$36,140a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in North Carolina. That is $17.38 an hour or $3,012 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.38
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among states
- 35 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 11,170
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,050Median: $36,140Highest 10%: $45,130
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,050 | $13.49 | |
| 25th | $31,290 | $15.04 | |
| Median | $36,140 | $17.38 | |
| 75th | $39,610 | $19.04 | |
| 90th | $45,130 | $21.70 |
Cities in North Carolina
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Durham, NC | $38,970 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $38,440 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,120 |
| Charlotte, NC | $37,690 |
| Asheville, NC | $37,550 |
| Raleigh, NC | $37,460 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $37,200 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $36,670 |
| Pinehurst, NC | $36,470 |
| Wilmington, NC | $36,050 |
| Greensboro, NC | $35,610 |
| Hickory, NC | $35,130 |
| Burlington, NC | $34,860 |
| Greenville, NC | $34,840 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $33,820 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $33,560 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 32. New Mexico | $36,470 |
| 33. Nebraska | $36,390 |
| 34. Florida | $36,250 |
| 35. North Carolina | $36,140 |
| 36. Indiana | $35,980 |
| 37. Iowa | $35,810 |
| 38. Idaho | $35,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in North Carolina?
The median hourly pay in North Carolina is $17.38 ($36,140 a year).
Do cooks make more in North Carolina than the national average?
No: $36,140 against $37,450 nationally, 3% less.
Where does North Carolina rank for cook pay?
North Carolina ranks 35 of 51 states.
Which city in North Carolina pays cooks the most?
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, with a median of $38,970 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.