North Carolina Median
$31,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$15.04
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $35,880
State Rank
#33 of 49
3,170 employed here
How much does a Cook, Short Order make in North Carolina?
A Cook, Short Order working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $31,290 per year, or about $15.04 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $35,880 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $23,350 while the top 10% make $38,210 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,990 and $34,700 a year.
Cook, Short Order salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,350 | $11.23 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,990 | $13.46 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $31,290 | $15.04 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $34,700 | $16.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,210 | $18.37 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 33rd out of 49 states and territories for Cook, Short Order pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Short Order salary in other states
Arizona $46,630Rhode Island $46,250Massachusetts $44,290Hawaii $43,110California $42,930Washington $42,760Colorado $42,450Connecticut $42,450District of Columbia $42,450New Jersey $40,720Idaho $40,090Vermont $38,830Oregon $38,550Delaware $38,500Missouri $38,490Utah $38,010Alaska $37,780Nevada $37,780Illinois $37,440New Mexico $37,150Maryland $36,800New York $35,550Maine $35,360Oklahoma $35,130Michigan $34,510Florida $34,240Iowa $34,090Montana $33,240South Dakota $32,380New Hampshire $32,330Minnesota $32,150Kentucky $31,840Virginia $31,200Nebraska $30,530Arkansas $30,510Tennessee $30,210South Carolina $29,640Ohio $29,290Mississippi $28,180Wisconsin $28,130West Virginia $27,440Kansas $27,400Georgia $26,870Louisiana $26,260Texas $25,320Alabama $22,330Indiana $21,940Pennsylvania $19,910
Working as a Cook, Short Order in North Carolina
Nationally, about 139,000 people work as Cooks, Short Order in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($31,290) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cook, Short Order make in North Carolina?
The median Cook, Short Order salary in North Carolina is $31,290 per year, or about $15.04 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,350 at the entry level to $38,210 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Cooks, Short Order about 13% less than the national median of $35,880. North Carolina ranks 33rd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Cooks, Short Order?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $31,290 a year. About 3,170 Cooks, Short Order are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cook, Short Order salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.