Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in North Carolina
Chefs and Head Cooks in North Carolina make a median of $59,810 a year, or about $28.75 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in North Carolina?
About chefs and head cooks
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $56K spread from bottom to top.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary by metro in North Carolina
13 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $65K | +8% | 220 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $64K | +6% | 70 |
| Asheville | $62K | +4% | 230 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $62K | +3% | 470 |
| Fayetteville | $61K | +3% | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $61K | +2% | 1,300 |
| Wilmington | $59K | -1% | 180 |
| Greenville | $59K | -1% | 40 |
| Winston-Salem | $59K | -2% | 160 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $58K | -3% | 120 |
| Burlington | $58K | -4% | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $56K | -7% | 260 |
| Jacksonville | $55K | -7% | 50 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 metros
Compare to other states
Track chefs and head cooks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in North Carolina?
The median is $59,810 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,290, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $98,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,950/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 32.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a chefs and head cooks salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chefs and head cooks salary is worth about $64,548 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chefs and head cooks get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.