The median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in North Carolina is $59,810 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $66,330.
Pay spans roughly $42,290 at the 10th percentile to $98,580 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $28.75 per hour. An estimated 4,100 people work as chefs and head cooks in North Carolina.
| Median (annual) | $59,810 |
| Mean (annual) | $66,330 |
| Median (hourly) | $28.75 |
| 10th percentile | $42,290 |
| 90th percentile | $98,580 |
| Employment | 4,100 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.