SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Eastern North Carolina
Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Eastern North Carolina, NC the median wage is $33,710.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Eastern North Carolina, NC the median wage is $33,710. That is 10.0% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay ranges from under $24,750 at the tenth percentile to more than $39,970 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $28,580 to $36,660.
Employment stands at 600, or 2.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Durham records the highest median at $38,970. Of the 476 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 428th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,750 | −33.9% |
| 25th | $28,580 | −23.7% |
| Median (50th) | $33,710 | −10.0% |
| 75th | $36,660 | −2.1% |
| 90th | $39,970 | +6.7% |
| Mean | $32,990 | −11.9% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | $38,970 | 790 | |
| 2 | Goldsboro | $38,120 | 120 | |
| 3 | Charlotte | $37,690 | 3,090 | |
| 4 | Asheville | $37,550 | 430 | |
| 5 | Raleigh | $37,460 | 1,060 | |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $37,200 | 360 | |
| 7 | Winston-Salem | $36,670 | 860 | |
| 8 | Pinehurst | $36,470 | 140 | |
| 9 | Wilmington | $36,050 | 360 | |
| 10 | Greensboro | $35,610 | 1,030 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $33,710 goes as far as $35,748 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$33,710as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,748US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $33,710 a year, 10.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,750 to $39,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 600 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Durham, at $38,970.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Eastern North Carolina, NC?
The median annual wage is $33,710, or $16.21 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 $37,450, so pay in Eastern North Carolina, NC is 10.0% 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 Eastern North Carolina, NC earns more than $39,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,750 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 $38,970 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 600 jobs in this occupation in Eastern 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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