SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Western North Carolina, NC is $60,780 per year, close to the national median of $62,470 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Western North Carolina, NC is $60,780 per year, close to the national median of $62,470 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $46,090 and $74,520. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $39,470 and the ninetieth at $91,360.
The area has 330 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Durham records the highest median at $66,090. Of the 472 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 158th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,470 | −36.8% |
| 25th | $46,090 | −26.2% |
| Median (50th) | $60,780 | −2.7% |
| 75th | $74,520 | +19.3% |
| 90th | $91,360 | +46.2% |
| Mean | $64,320 | +3.0% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | $66,090 | 270 | |
| 2 | Charlotte | $64,260 | 1,480 | |
| 3 | Pinehurst | $62,260 | 90 | |
| 4 | Raleigh | $61,190 | 820 | |
| 5 | Greenville | $60,400 | 80 | |
| 6 | Asheville | $60,390 | 290 | |
| 7 | Hickory | $59,480 | 110 | |
| 8 | Greensboro | $59,160 | 280 | |
| 9 | Wilmington | $58,120 | 270 | |
| 10 | Rocky Mount | $57,920 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $60,780 goes as far as $64,454 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,454US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,780 a year, 2.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,470 to $91,360 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 330 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Durham, at $66,090.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Western North Carolina, NC?
The median annual wage is $60,780, or $29.22 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Western North Carolina, NC is 2.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Western North Carolina, NC earns more than $91,360 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,470 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Durham, at $66,090 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 330 jobs in this occupation in Western North Carolina, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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