Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in North Carolina
Chefs and Head Cooks in North Carolina earn a median of $61,130 a year, −2% compared with the U.S. median.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay
- $61,130
- vs. U.S. median
- −2% ($62,470)
- Rank among states
- 29 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 4,920
Pay range in North Carolina
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,210; the top 10% earn over $92,210. Nationally the range is $37,900 to $98,560.
States ranked near North Carolina
Similar jobs in North Carolina
- Food Service Managers$74,080 median in North Carolina
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$45,010 median in North Carolina
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$47,490 median in North Carolina
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36,140 median in North Carolina
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$38,240 median in North Carolina
- Cooks, Restaurant$35,400 median in North Carolina
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in North Carolina
How much do chefs and head cooks make in North Carolina?
The median is $61,130 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,210 and the top 10% earn over $92,210. BLS OEWS May 2025.
Is North Carolina a good state for chefs and head cooks?
On pay alone it ranks 29 of 51 (−2% vs. the national median of $62,470). Living costs are not included.