Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in North Carolina
Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias in North Carolina make a median of $34,590 a year, or about $16.63 an hour. The range runs from $26K at the entry level to $43K 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 $35K get you in North Carolina?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level cooks, institution and cafeterias (10th percentile) start around $26K. Mid-career wages sit at $35K. Top earners bring in $43K or more, a $18K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by metro in North Carolina
15 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $38K | +9% | 810 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $36K | +3% | 3,130 |
| Asheville | $36K | +3% | 520 |
| Winston-Salem | $35K | +1% | 950 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $35K | +1% | 150 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $35K | +1% | 1,170 |
| Greenville | $34K | -1% | 270 |
| Fayetteville | $34K | -1% | 490 |
| Burlington | $34K | -2% | 160 |
| Jacksonville | $33K | -3% | 260 |
| Goldsboro | $33K | -3% | 170 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $33K | -3% | 1,120 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $33K | -5% | 460 |
| Wilmington | $33K | -5% | 390 |
| Rocky Mount | $30K | -14% | 110 |
Showing 1–10 of 15 metros
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeterias make in North Carolina?
The median is $34,590 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $25,580, and experienced cooks, institution and cafeterias can clear $43,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $35K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,356/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 54.5% 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 cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 cooks, institution and cafeteria salary is worth about $37,330 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, institution and cafeterias 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.