Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $38,970 a year ($18.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,030 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 8% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $36,140. There are 2.3 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,850, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| 25th percentile | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Median | $38,970 | $18.73 |
| 75th percentile | $44,520 | $21.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Average (mean) | $38,850 | $18.68 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,247.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,623.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,498.85 |
| Weekly | $749.42 |
| Hourly | $18.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $38,440 | 2,510 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,120 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $37,690 | 3,090 |
| Asheville, NC | $37,550 | 430 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $37,460 | 1,060 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $37,200 | 360 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $36,670 | 860 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $36,470 | 140 |
| Wilmington, NC | $36,050 | 360 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $35,610 | 1,030 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $35,130 | 350 |
| Burlington, NC | $34,860 | 150 |
| Greenville, NC | $34,840 | 220 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $33,820 | 240 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $33,560 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,190 | $14.04 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,560 | $16.62 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,170 | $14.02 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| Bartender | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Dishwasher | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,440 | $14.16 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,410 | $13.18 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,090 | $31.77 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $34,480 | $16.58 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $38,970 a year, or $18.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $49,030 a year. The top 25% earn $44,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,280 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $34,760 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 790 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.