Restaurant Cook Salary in Charlotte, NC
Updated
The median restaurant cook in the Charlotte area earns $37,030 a year ($17.80 an hour), 1% below the U.S. median ($37,390) and 5% above the North Carolina median ($35,400). Half of the 14,430 restaurant cooks there earn between $30,250 and $41,840.
| Annual pay | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,210 | $27,980 | $28,700 |
| 25th percentile | $30,250 | $29,690 | $34,010 |
| Median | $37,030 | $35,400 | $37,390 |
| 75th percentile | $41,840 | $38,170 | $44,620 |
| 90th percentile | $45,980 | $45,450 | $47,900 |
| Average | $37,110 | $35,140 | $38,730 |
| Jobs | 14,430 | 50,150 | 1,409,890 |
Charlotte, NC ranks 32nd of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for restaurant cook pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($47,730).
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Check my payRestaurant cook pay in other cities
- Raleigh, NC: $36,280
- Seattle, WA: $47,730
- San Jose, CA: $47,170
- San Diego, CA: $46,440
- San Francisco, CA: $46,030
- Boston, MA: $45,830
- Portland, OR: $45,200
- Los Angeles, CA: $44,460
- All cities
Similar jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Food Preparation Worker: $34,180
- Fast Food Worker: $28,880
- Waiter: $36,430
- Food Service Supervisor: $47,280
- Bartender: $37,390
- All jobs in Charlotte, NC
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.