Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in North Carolina
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Carolina earn a median of $36,140 a year ($17.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,130 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $37,450. North Carolina ranks 35th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 2.3 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $36,130, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,050 | $13.48 |
| 25th percentile | $31,290 | $15.04 |
| Median | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| 75th percentile | $39,610 | $19.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Average (mean) | $36,130 | $17.37 |
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 | $3,011.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,505.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,390 |
| Weekly | $695 |
| Hourly | $17.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,140 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 cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $35,130 | 350 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,190 | $13.07 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,290 | $15.04 |
| Cooks, All Other | $31,120 | $14.96 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 | $13.74 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Bartender | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Dishwasher | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,460 | $15.13 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,130 | $29.39 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in North Carolina is $36,140 a year, or $17.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in North Carolina earn at least $45,130 a year. The top 25% earn $39,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,050 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $31,290 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in North Carolina?
About 11,170 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.