SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Central North Carolina
Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Central North Carolina, NC is $28,790 per year, 19.8% below the national median of $35,880.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Central North Carolina, NC is $28,790 per year, 19.8% below the national median of $35,880. Half of workers earn between $27,500 and $34,290. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $25,240 and the ninetieth at $34,290.
Within the state, Durham records the highest median at $35,040. Of the 438 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 419th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,240 | −29.7% |
| 25th | $27,500 | −23.4% |
| Median (50th) | $28,790 | −19.8% |
| 75th | $34,290 | −4.4% |
| 90th | $34,290 | −4.4% |
| Mean | $30,360 | −15.4% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | $35,040 | 150 | |
| 2 | Charlotte | $34,600 | 530 | |
| 3 | Raleigh | $31,200 | 530 | |
| 4 | Greensboro | $29,700 | 260 | |
| 5 | Wilmington | $29,620 | 150 | |
| 6 | Winston-Salem | $29,400 | 170 | |
| 7 | Hickory | $29,230 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $28,790 goes as far as $30,530 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,790as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,530US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,790 a year, 19.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,240 to $34,290 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Durham, at $35,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Central North Carolina, NC?
The median annual wage is $28,790, or $13.84 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 $35,880, so pay in Central North Carolina, NC is 19.8% 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 Central North Carolina, NC earns more than $34,290 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,240 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 $35,040 per year.
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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