Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Hickory, NC (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · 1,340 employed
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Hickory, NC is $33,260 per year. The middle 50% of Cooks, Restaurants earn between $28,670 and $36,200. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $43,910 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $24,290. The median of $34,340 is below the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Breakdown in Hickory, NC
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $24,290 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,670 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $34,340 |
| Mean (Average) | $33,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,200 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $43,910 |
Related Jobs in Hickory, NC
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $56,920 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $41,950 |
| Bartenders | $33,470 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,270 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,110 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $28,880 |
Cooks, Restaurant Salaries in Other Cities
| City | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | $53,460 |
| San Jose, CA | $50,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $47,580 |
| Seattle, WA | $47,150 |
| Napa, CA | $47,070 |
| Portland, ME | $46,280 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,730 |
| Boston, MA | $45,720 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Hickory, NC?
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Hickory, NC is $33,260 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Hickory, NC?
The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Hickory, NC is $34,340 per year. Half of Cooks, Restaurants earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Cooks, Restaurants make in Hickory, NC?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurants in Hickory, NC typically earn around $24,290 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $28,670.
What do the highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants earn in Hickory, NC?
The highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants in Hickory, NC earn $43,910 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $36,200.
How many Cooks, Restaurants work in Hickory, NC?
There are approximately 1,340 Cooks, Restaurants employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area, per BLS OEWS.