Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Western North Carolina

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

Median annual salary $31,420 -13.8% vs national
Median hourly $15.10
10th percentile $26,820
90th percentile $38,380
Employed locally 970
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Western North Carolina
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,820
    25th
    $29,440
    50th (median)
    $31,420
    75th
    $35,290
    90th
    $38,380

    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 Western North Carolina

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food$26,760
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,570
    Waiters and Waitresses$26,710
    Cooks, Restaurant$34,590
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$39,810
    Food Preparation Workers$28,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Western North Carolina?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Western North Carolina is $15.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.35 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Western North Carolina is 13.8% 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 Western North Carolina?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $26,820 per year in Western North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,440.