Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $35,130 a year ($16.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,120 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 3% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $36,140. There are 2.2 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $34,150, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,590 | $12.78 |
| 25th percentile | $30,190 | $14.51 |
| Median | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| 75th percentile | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Average (mean) | $34,150 | $16.42 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,927.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,463.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,351.15 |
| Weekly | $675.58 |
| Hourly | $16.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $38,970 | 790 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $38,440 | 2,510 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,120 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $37,690 | 3,090 |
| Asheville, NC | $37,550 | 430 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $37,460 | 1,060 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $37,200 | 360 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $36,670 | 860 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $36,470 | 140 |
| Wilmington, NC | $36,050 | 360 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $35,610 | 1,030 |
| Burlington, NC | $34,860 | 150 |
| Greenville, NC | $34,840 | 220 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $33,820 | 240 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $33,560 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,550 | $13.25 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,380 | $14.60 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,680 | $13.31 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,230 | $14.05 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,310 | $14.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $41,780 | $20.09 |
| Bartender | $31,860 | $15.32 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,110 | $13.03 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,940 | $12.95 |
| Dishwasher | $28,980 | $13.93 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $29,150 | $14.01 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,480 | $28.60 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $35,130 a year, or $16.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $43,120 a year. The top 25% earn $37,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,590 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $30,190 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 350 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.