Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$36,600$17.60 per hour · $3,050 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (NC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $13.89/hr | $2,408 | $28,900 | $24,757 |
| 25th Percentile | $14.76/hr | $2,558 | $30,700 | $26,131 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.60/hr | $3,050 | $36,600 | $30,636 |
| 75th Percentile | $18.99/hr | $3,292 | $39,500 | $32,851 |
| 90th Percentile | $22.60/hr | $3,917 | $47,000 | $38,578 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,600 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $36,600, which equates to approximately $3,050 per month or $17.60 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $17.60 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.89/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.60/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $28,900 at the 10th percentile to $30,700 at the 25th, $39,500 at the 75th, and $47,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
On a median gross salary of $36,600, an estimated $30,636 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,178 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,964 (an effective rate of 16.3%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
On the median annual salary of $36,600, gross monthly income is $3,050. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,553 per month (or $1,178 every two weeks).
Is $36,600 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
At $36,600, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 43.8% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.