Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Hickory, NC

In Hickory, NC, cooks in the fast-food industry earn a median annual salary of $24,180 and a median hourly wage of $11.63. This is below the national median for this occupation, which stands at $30,160 annually. When compared to the local area's median household income of $60,255, the earnings of these cooks represent approximately 40% of a typical household's income. Given that the estimated employment for fast-food cooks in Hickory is around 2,990 individuals and considering a relatively low unemployment rate of 3.60%, it appears that while jobs are accessible, wages remain modest within this sector.

Entry-level fast-food cooks in Hickory typically earn closer to the 10th percentile, with annual salaries around $21,520, whereas more experienced workers can earn up to or beyond the 90th percentile at approximately $28,910. The significant wage difference between these percentiles is driven by factors such as tenure, skill level, and possibly additional responsibilities that come with experience. As cooks gain years of service, they may receive raises for loyalty, develop advanced culinary skills, or take on supervisory roles, all contributing to the higher earnings observed at the upper end of the salary range.