Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Central North Carolina

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

Median annual salary $30,350 -16.7% vs national
Median hourly $14.59
10th percentile $22,260
90th percentile $38,290
Employed locally 560
National median $36,450

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Central North Carolina
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,260
    25th
    $27,870
    50th (median)
    $30,350
    75th
    $35,640
    90th
    $38,290

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    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 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Central North Carolina?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Central North Carolina is $14.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.42 or more per hour.

    Is Central North Carolina above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Central North Carolina is 16.7% below the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Central North Carolina?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $22,260 per year in Central North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,870.