upper level job

How much does a Line Cook make in Jackson, NC?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Line Cook in Jackson, NC is $30,324 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $15.

However, a Line Cook's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $34,914
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $28,386 to $32,727
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $26,622

Key Factors That Influence Line Cook Salaries

A Line Cook's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Line Cook Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Line Cook's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $29,977
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $30,683
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $31,113
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $31,221
  • Expert (over 8 years): $31,400
Levels Salary
Entry Level Line Cook$29,977
Intermediate Level Line Cook$30,683
Senior Level Line Cook$31,113
Specialist Level Line Cook$31,221
Expert Level Line Cook$31,400

Top Paying Cities for Line Cook

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $42,676
  • San Francisco: $42,209
  • Oakland: $41,319

Line Cook Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Line Cook salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $33,946. While startup companies pay approximate $28,717.

Line Cook Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $28,717
Growth Stage 51~500 $30,372
Established 501~5000 $32,781
Enterprise 5000+ $33,946

Line Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Line Cook roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 12% above the average. In contrast, Line Cook positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Line Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Line Cook

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$37,895$18.012%
Biotechnology$37,218$18.010%
Energy & Utilities$36,542$18.08%
Software & Networking$36,542$18.08%
Transportation$36,203$17.07%

Line Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Line Cook's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$28,386
Average $30,324/year
$32,727
$2,366
Average $2,527/month
$2,727
$546
Average $583/week
$629
$14
Average $15/hour
$16
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $32,727 $2,727 $629 $16
Average $30,324 $2,527 $583 $15
25th Percentile $28,386 $2,366 $546 $14

Line Cook Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Line Cook, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Line Cook Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Chef $52,972 75%
Cook II $33,770 11%
Cook - Institution $34,024 12%
Senior Line Cook $34,024 12%

Find Your Next Line Cook Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Line Cook job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Cost of Living In Jackson, NC

Cost of Living in Jackson, NC is
-3.8% Lower
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

Explore Cost of Living Calculator
Empower Your Team

Salary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.

Find Salary.com Comp Consulting
See Salary Trends in 2025

Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.

Price Your Company Jobs and Make Pay Fair

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst