How much does a cook make in North Carolina?
$31,290a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in North Carolina. That is $15.04 an hour or $2,608 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.04
- Vs. national median
- -13%
- Rank among states
- 33 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 3,170
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,350Median: $31,290Highest 10%: $38,210
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,350 | $11.23 | |
| 25th | $27,990 | $13.46 | |
| Median | $31,290 | $15.04 | |
| 75th | $34,700 | $16.68 | |
| 90th | $38,210 | $18.37 |
Cities in North Carolina
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Durham, NC | $35,040 |
| Charlotte, NC | $34,600 |
| Raleigh, NC | $31,200 |
| Greensboro, NC | $29,700 |
| Wilmington, NC | $29,620 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $29,400 |
| Hickory, NC | $29,230 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $27,830 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 30. New Hampshire | $32,330 |
| 31. Minnesota | $32,150 |
| 32. Kentucky | $31,840 |
| 33. North Carolina | $31,290 |
| 34. Virginia | $31,200 |
| 35. Nebraska | $30,530 |
| 36. Arkansas | $30,510 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in North Carolina?
The median hourly pay in North Carolina is $15.04 ($31,290 a year).
Do cooks make more in North Carolina than the national average?
No: $31,290 against $35,880 nationally, 13% less.
Where does North Carolina rank for cook pay?
North Carolina ranks 33 of 49 states.
Which city in North Carolina pays cooks the most?
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, with a median of $35,040 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.