Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Wilmington, NC
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC
Median annual salary
$59,390
-2.6% vs national
Median hourly
$28.55
10th percentile
$43,130
90th percentile
$95,100
Employed locally
180
National median
$60,990
Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Wilmington, NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Chefs and Head Cooks
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Wilmington, NC
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Salary percentile breakdown
Wilmington economic context
Unemployment rate
3.50%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$73,687
2023 • Census ACS
Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income
81%
Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 19% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Wilmington?
The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Wilmington, NC is $28.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.21 or more per hour.
Is Wilmington above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Wilmington, NC is 2.6% 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 Wilmington?
Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $43,130 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,020.