Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Raleigh, NC (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Raleigh-Cary, NC · 7,610 employed
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Raleigh, NC is $35,640 per year. The middle 50% of Cooks, Restaurants earn between $29,960 and $37,970. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $45,580 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $28,080. The median of $36,010 is below the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Breakdown in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $28,080 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,960 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $36,010 |
| Mean (Average) | $35,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,970 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $45,580 |
Related Jobs in Raleigh, NC
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,060 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,480 |
| Bartenders | $38,590 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,670 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,500 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $33,420 |
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 Raleigh, NC?
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Raleigh, NC is $35,640 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Raleigh, NC?
The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Raleigh, NC is $36,010 per year. Half of Cooks, Restaurants earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Cooks, Restaurants make in Raleigh, NC?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurants in Raleigh, NC typically earn around $28,080 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $29,960.
What do the highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants earn in Raleigh, NC?
The highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants in Raleigh, NC earn $45,580 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $37,970.
How many Cooks, Restaurants work in Raleigh, NC?
There are approximately 7,610 Cooks, Restaurants employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC area, per BLS OEWS.