Burlington, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Burlington, NC

In the Burlington, NC metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $35,000 ($16.83/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,600/year and the 90th was $44,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,415 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,000$16.83 per hour · $2,917 monthly
10th Percentile$27,600$13.27/hr base
25th Percentile$29,300$14.09/hr base
75th Percentile$37,700$18.13/hr base
90th Percentile$44,900$21.59/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$35,000
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,000
Net 84%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,415After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,451Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,131Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,020 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$888 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,678 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Burlington, NC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Cooks, Restaurant in the Burlington, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$13.27/hr$2,300$27,600$23,746
25th Percentile$14.09/hr$2,442$29,300$25,062
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.83/hr$2,917$35,000$29,415
75th Percentile$18.13/hr$3,142$37,700$31,476
90th Percentile$21.59/hr$3,742$44,900$36,974

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Burlington, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,651Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.26.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio53.3%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Burlington, NC

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Burlington, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Burlington, NC is $35,000, which equates to approximately $2,917 per month or $16.83 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Burlington, NC?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Burlington, NC is $16.83 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.27/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.59/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Burlington, NC?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Burlington, NC span from $27,600 at the 10th percentile to $29,300 at the 25th, $37,700 at the 75th, and $44,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Burlington, NC?

On a median gross salary of $35,000, an estimated $29,415 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,131 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,585 (an effective rate of 16%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Burlington, NC?

On the median annual salary of $35,000, gross monthly income is $2,917. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,451 per month (or $1,131 every two weeks).

Is $35,000 a good salary in Burlington, NC?

At $35,000, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 53.3% of the Burlington, NC median household income ($65,651). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.2, making regional consumer goods and services 6.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.