Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia
In Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia (NC), the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $30.90 an hour ($64,260 a year). About 1,480 people work in this job there.
That is 3% higher than the U.S. median ($62,470). It is 5% higher than the North Carolina median ($61,130).
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia (NC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $22.29 | $46,360 |
| 25% of workers | $27.89 | $58,020 |
| Half of workers (median) | $30.90 | $64,260 |
| 75% of workers | $37.48 | $77,950 |
| 90% of workers | $44.58 | $92,730 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in North Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $66,090 | 270 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia (this page) | $64,260 | 1,480 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $62,260 | 90 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $61,190 | 820 |
| Greenville | $60,400 | 80 |
| Asheville | $60,390 | 290 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $59,480 | 110 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $59,160 | 280 |
| Wilmington | $58,120 | 270 |
| Rocky Mount | $57,920 | 40 |
| Fayetteville | $57,830 | 100 |
| Winston-Salem | $55,550 | 240 |
| Burlington | $55,530 | 60 |
North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia (NC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,430 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,030 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,280 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,690 |
| Food Service Managers | $75,460 |
| Bakers | $36,580 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.