Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Central North Carolina

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $58,990 -3.3% vs national
Median hourly $28.36
10th percentile $44,020
90th percentile $96,910
Employed locally 160
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Central North Carolina
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,020
    25th
    $51,580
    50th (median)
    $58,990
    75th
    $89,360
    90th
    $96,910

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Related occupations in Central North Carolina

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food$23,350
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,000
    Waiters and Waitresses$27,360
    Cooks, Restaurant$30,110
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,700
    Food Preparation Workers$26,380

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Central North Carolina?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Central North Carolina is $28.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.57 or more per hour.

    Is Central North Carolina above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Central North Carolina is 3.3% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Central North Carolina?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $44,020 per year in Central North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,580.