Jacksonville, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Jacksonville, NC

In the Jacksonville, NC metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $34,600 ($16.63/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,300/year and the 90th was $44,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,109 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,600$16.63 per hour · $2,883 monthly
10th Percentile$27,300$13.13/hr base
25th Percentile$29,000$13.94/hr base
75th Percentile$37,300$17.93/hr base
90th Percentile$44,400$21.35/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

$34,600
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,600
Net 84%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,109After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,426Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,120Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,972 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$872 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,647 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$13.13/hr$2,275$27,300$23,511
25th Percentile$13.94/hr$2,417$29,000$24,833
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.63/hr$2,883$34,600$29,109
75th Percentile$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$31,171
90th Percentile$21.35/hr$3,700$44,400$36,593

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Jacksonville, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$68,148Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.17.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio50.8%of area median income

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

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

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

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Jacksonville, NC is $34,600, which equates to approximately $2,883 per month or $16.63 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Jacksonville, NC is $16.63 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.13/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.35/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Jacksonville, NC span from $27,300 at the 10th percentile to $29,000 at the 25th, $37,300 at the 75th, and $44,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $34,600, an estimated $29,109 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,120 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,491 (an effective rate of 15.9%).

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

On the median annual salary of $34,600, gross monthly income is $2,883. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,426 per month (or $1,120 every two weeks).

Is $34,600 a good salary in Jacksonville, NC?

At $34,600, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 50.8% of the Jacksonville, NC median household income ($68,148). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.1, making regional consumer goods and services 7.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.