How much does a cook make in Raleigh?
$37,460a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area. That is $18.01 an hour or $3,122 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.01
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 153 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,770Median: $37,460Highest 10%: $46,480
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,770 | $12.87 | |
| 25th | $33,400 | $16.06 | |
| Median | $37,460 | $18.01 | |
| 75th | $40,370 | $19.41 | |
| 90th | $46,480 | $22.35 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Durham, NC | $38,970 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $38,440 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,120 |
| Charlotte, NC | $37,690 |
| Asheville, NC | $37,550 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Raleigh
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,190 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $46,020 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Raleigh?
The median hourly pay in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $18.01 ($37,460 a year).
Do cooks make more in Raleigh than the national average?
Yes: $37,460 against $37,450 nationally, 0% more.
How does Raleigh compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $36,140, so Raleigh pays 4% more.
Where does Raleigh rank for cook pay?
153 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Raleigh?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,770 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,480 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.