Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in North Carolina
Chefs and Head Cooks in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $61,130 —2.1% below the national median of $62,470. That ranks NC #29 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.77× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in North Carolina.
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $79,930 | $38.43 | 740 | 1.15 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $77,360 | $37.19 | 1,240 | 1.53 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $76,420 | $36.74 | 2,020 | 2.23 |
| 4 | Washington | $76,010 | $36.54 | 5,320 | 1.16 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $74,740 | $35.93 | 100 | 0.19 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $74,280 | $35.71 | 9,100 | 1.65 |
| 7 | Wyoming | $73,170 | $35.18 | 240 | 0.67 |
| 8 | South Carolina | $71,860 | $34.55 | 2,650 | 0.89 |
| 9 | New York | $70,670 | $33.98 | 17,430 | 1.40 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $69,810 | $33.56 | 3,820 | 0.91 |
Related occupations in North Carolina
Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.
| Occupation | North Carolina median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,150 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,400 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,010 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,260 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $36,470 | $34,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks in North Carolina is $61,130, or $29.39 per hour. That is 2.1% below the national median of $62,470.
What is the entry-level chefs and head cooks salary in North Carolina?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $38,210 per year ($18.37/hour). The 25th percentile is $48,360.
How many people work as chefs and head cooks in North Carolina?
About 4,920 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 1.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is North Carolina a good state for chefs and head cooks?
North Carolina ranks #29 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.77x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in North Carolina.
Which state pays chefs and head cooks the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median wage at $79,930 per year, followed by Hawaii ($77,360) and District of Columbia ($76,420).