Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Raleigh, NC
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC
Median annual salary
$61,890
+1.5% vs national
Median hourly
$29.76
10th percentile
$45,990
90th percentile
$98,570
Employed locally
470
National median
$60,990
Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Raleigh, NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Raleigh, NC
vs
Salary percentile breakdown
Raleigh economic context
Unemployment rate
3.10%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$96,066
2023 • Census ACS
Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income
64%
Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 36% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Raleigh?
The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Raleigh, NC is $29.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.56 or more per hour.
Is Raleigh above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Raleigh, NC is 1.5% above 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 Raleigh?
Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $45,990 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,860.