Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$33,200$15.96 per hour · $2,767 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 | $12.60/hr | $2,183 | $26,200 | $22,649 |
| 25th Percentile | $13.41/hr | $2,325 | $27,900 | $23,981 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $15.96/hr | $2,767 | $33,200 | $28,040 |
| 75th Percentile | $17.21/hr | $2,983 | $35,800 | $30,026 |
| 90th Percentile | $20.48/hr | $3,550 | $42,600 | $35,218 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,200 measures up against local economic conditions:
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Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $33,200, which equates to approximately $2,767 per month or $15.96 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $15.96 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.60/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.48/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $26,200 at the 10th percentile to $27,900 at the 25th, $35,800 at the 75th, and $42,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
On a median gross salary of $33,200, an estimated $28,040 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,078 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,160 (an effective rate of 15.5%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
On the median annual salary of $33,200, gross monthly income is $2,767. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,337 per month (or $1,078 every two weeks).
Is $33,200 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
At $33,200, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 52.9% of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median household income ($62,787). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.5, making regional consumer goods and services 11.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.