Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $17.38 an hour ($36,140 a year). About 11,170 people work in this job there.
That is 3% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). North Carolina ranks 35th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in North Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.48 | $28,050 |
| 25% of workers | $15.04 | $31,290 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.38 | $36,140 |
| 75% of workers | $19.05 | $39,610 |
| 90% of workers | $21.70 | $45,130 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in North Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $38,970 | 790 |
| Goldsboro | $38,120 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $37,690 | 3,090 |
| Asheville | $37,550 | 430 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $37,460 | 1,060 |
| Fayetteville | $37,200 | 360 |
| Winston-Salem | $36,670 | 860 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $36,470 | 140 |
| Wilmington | $36,050 | 360 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $35,610 | 1,030 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $35,130 | 350 |
| Burlington | $34,860 | 150 |
| Greenville | $34,840 | 220 |
| Jacksonville | $33,820 | 240 |
| Rocky Mount | $33,560 | 120 |
North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,190 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,400 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,010 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,260 |
| Food Service Managers | $74,080 |
| Bakers | $34,510 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,130 |
Other job titles for this job
Open cooks, institution and cafeteria jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring cooks, institution and cafeteria? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.