Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Western North Carolina

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

Median annual salary $34,590 -6.1% vs national
Median hourly $16.63
10th percentile $27,910
90th percentile $46,690
Employed locally 3,800
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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Western North Carolina
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,910
    25th
    $29,520
    50th (median)
    $34,590
    75th
    $38,000
    90th
    $46,690

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    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
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,810
    Food Preparation Workers $28,540
    Bartenders $30,840

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Western North Carolina?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Western North Carolina is $16.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.50 or more per hour.

    Is Western North Carolina above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Western North Carolina is 6.1% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Western North Carolina?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $27,910 per year in Western North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,520.