How much does a cook make in North Carolina?
$31,120a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in North Carolina. That is $14.96 an hour or $2,593 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.96
- Vs. national median
- -17%
- Rank among states
- 30 of 33
- Jobs in the state
- 150
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,250Median: $31,120Highest 10%: $43,690
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,250 | $10.22 | |
| 25th | $23,100 | $11.11 | |
| Median | $31,120 | $14.96 | |
| 75th | $36,650 | $17.62 | |
| 90th | $43,690 | $21.00 |
Cities in North Carolina
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Virginia Beach, VA | $27,150 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 27. Mississippi | $33,410 |
| 28. Maryland | $32,150 |
| 29. Texas | $32,150 |
| 30. North Carolina | $31,120 |
| 31. Arkansas | $30,780 |
| 32. Louisiana | $28,930 |
| 33. Iowa | $26,060 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in North Carolina?
The median hourly pay in North Carolina is $14.96 ($31,120 a year).
Do cooks make more in North Carolina than the national average?
No: $31,120 against $37,690 nationally, 17% less.
Where does North Carolina rank for cook pay?
North Carolina ranks 30 of 33 states.
Which city in North Carolina pays cooks the most?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC, with a median of $27,150 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.