Cooks, Restaurant Salary in North Carolina
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for cooks, restaurant in North Carolina was $35,400 -5.3% vs national
North Carolina vs United States
| North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $35,400 | $37,390 |
| Median hourly | $17.02 | $17.98 |
| Employment | 50,150 | 1,409,890 |
| Location quotient | 1.12 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (North Carolina) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Reading the data
Employment density in North Carolina is 1.12x the national average — a above-average concentration of these roles in the local economy.
The median wage in North Carolina is 5.3% below the national median — a difference of about $1,990 per year for a typical worker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cooks, restaurant salary in North Carolina?
The median annual wage in North Carolina is $35,400 ($17.02 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for cooks, restaurant?
The North Carolina median of $35,400 is 5.3% lower than the U.S. median of $37,390.
How many cooks, restaurant work in North Carolina?
Approximately 50,150 are employed in North Carolina, per BLS OES.