North Carolina ranks 23rd of 51 states and D.C. for chefs and head cooks pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($81,200) by $21,390 — a 36% gap.
Chefs and Head Cooks are less concentrated in North Carolina than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.71 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.41× below the national share.
North Carolina employs roughly 2.2% of all chefs and head cooks in the country (4,100 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| 25th percentile | $50,990 | $24.51 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,810 | $28.75 |
| 75th percentile | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,580 | $47.39 |
| Mean (average) | $66,330 | $31.89 |
How North Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (current) | $59,810 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $81,200 | +36% |
| Rhode Island | $79,160 | +32% |
| North Dakota | $76,630 | +28% |
| District of Columbia | $74,000 | +24% |
| Massachusetts | $71,330 | +19% |
| Washington | $69,800 | +17% |
| New Jersey | $69,660 | +16% |
| California | $66,780 | +12% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in North Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $59,820 | 1,290 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $59,860 | 3,990 |
| Clergy | $59,530 | 1,450 |
| Medical Equipment Repairers | $59,430 | 2,670 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $59,390 | 13,060 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $59,390 | 3,910 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in North Carolina?
The mean chefs and head cooks salary in North Carolina is $66,330 per year. The median (middle) salary is $59,810 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in North Carolina?
Entry-level chefs and head cookss (10th percentile) in North Carolina typically earn around $42,290 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $50,990 per year.
What is the highest Chefs and Head Cooks salary in North Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in North Carolina make approximately $98,580 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $74,990 per year.
How does the North Carolina Chefs and Head Cooks salary compare to the national average?
The median chefs and head cooks salary in North Carolina is $59,810, which is -2% below national average of $60,990.