Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $36,500 ($17.55/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $28,900/year and the 90th was $46,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,560 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,500$17.55 per hour · $3,042 monthly
10th Percentile$28,900$13.89/hr base
25th Percentile$30,600$14.71/hr base
75th Percentile$39,400$18.94/hr base
90th Percentile$46,900$22.55/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

$36,500
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,500
Net 84%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,560After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,547Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,175Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,200 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$948 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,792 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$13.89/hr$2,408$28,900$24,757
25th Percentile$14.71/hr$2,550$30,600$26,055
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.55/hr$3,042$36,500$30,560
75th Percentile$18.94/hr$3,283$39,400$32,775
90th Percentile$22.55/hr$3,908$46,900$38,502

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,304Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.32.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $36,500, which equates to approximately $3,042 per month or $17.55 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $17.55 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.89/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.55/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC span from $28,900 at the 10th percentile to $30,600 at the 25th, $39,400 at the 75th, and $46,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

On a median gross salary of $36,500, an estimated $30,560 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,175 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,940 (an effective rate of 16.3%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

On the median annual salary of $36,500, gross monthly income is $3,042. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,547 per month (or $1,175 every two weeks).

Is $36,500 a good salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

At $36,500, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 43.8% of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC median household income ($83,304). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.3, making regional consumer goods and services 2.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.