Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$34,500$16.59 per hour · $2,875 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Winston-Salem, 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 | $13.13/hr | $2,275 | $27,300 | $23,511 |
| 25th Percentile | $13.94/hr | $2,417 | $29,000 | $24,833 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $16.59/hr | $2,875 | $34,500 | $29,033 |
| 75th Percentile | $17.88/hr | $3,100 | $37,200 | $31,095 |
| 90th Percentile | $21.30/hr | $3,692 | $44,300 | $36,516 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Winston-Salem, NC
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,500 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 Winston-Salem, NC
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Winston-Salem, NC?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Winston-Salem, NC is $34,500, which equates to approximately $2,875 per month or $16.59 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Winston-Salem, NC?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Winston-Salem, NC is $16.59 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.13/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.30/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Winston-Salem, NC?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Winston-Salem, NC span from $27,300 at the 10th percentile to $29,000 at the 25th, $37,200 at the 75th, and $44,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Winston-Salem, NC?
On a median gross salary of $34,500, an estimated $29,033 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,117 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,467 (an effective rate of 15.8%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Winston-Salem, NC?
On the median annual salary of $34,500, gross monthly income is $2,875. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,419 per month (or $1,117 every two weeks).
Is $34,500 a good salary in Winston-Salem, NC?
At $34,500, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 52.3% of the Winston-Salem, NC median household income ($65,975). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.0, making regional consumer goods and services 8% cheaper than the U.S. average.