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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Ames, IA

In Ames, IA, the average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food stands at $30,240, slightly below the national average of $31,130. This marginal difference is often influenced by local economic factors, including the specific demand for fast-food services and the overall cost of doing business within the Ames metropolitan area.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $30,240 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 32.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $37,510.
  • Outlook: Ames, IA supports a local workforce of 240 Cooks, Fast Food, with a concentration (Location Quotient) of 0.97, indicating a job market closely aligned with national employment patterns for this role. The presence of 4.194 jobs per 1,000 workers suggests a stable, albeit not exceptionally high, demand for these essential service positions within the community.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$30,240

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Ames, IA earns-2.9%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$14.5

Weekly

$582

Monthly

$2,520

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Ames, IA

Career progression for Cooks, Fast Food typically involves moving from entry-level positions to roles with greater responsibility, such as shift leader or assistant manager. While specific salary data by experience level isn't detailed here, the typical salary range widens significantly as individuals gain experience, with senior roles commanding higher compensation than those just starting out.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,660$10.9
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$22,680$10.9
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$28,910$13.9
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$37,800$18.2
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$37,510$18

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$30,240

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$30,240

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $30,240 in Ames, IA aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a fast-food cook's salary in Ames is comparable to the national average, suggesting that the slightly lower nominal wage is offset by the stable cost of essential goods and services in the area.

Job Market Context

240

Total Jobs

4.194

Per 1K Jobs

0.97

Location Quotient

Below Average

Ames, IA has 0.97x the national average concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

With a Location Quotient of 0.97, the job market for Cooks, Fast Food in Ames, IA is neither significantly over- nor under-represented compared to the national average. This suggests a balanced market where demand and supply are relatively stable, implying moderate competition for available positions and consistent opportunities for qualified individuals.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$27,440↓ 9%21 mi
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$27,630↓ 9%21 mi
Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$27,130↓ 10%21 mi
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$30,940↑ 2%31 mi

Comparing salaries near Ames, IA

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Ames, IA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Ames, IA is $30,240. This typically ranges from $22,660 for entry-level positions to $37,510 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Ames, IA is 2.9% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Ames, IA a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, but it is stable.The average salary of $30,240 is slightly below the national average, but the cost of living is also at the national average, indicating stable purchasing power.

Is Ames, IA a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Ames, IA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Ames, IA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area ($27,440) and Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area.

How does the Ames, IA salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Ames, IA is $30,240, which is slightly lower than the national average of $31,130.

What is the Cost of Living in Ames, IA?

Ames, IA has a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning the cost of goods and services is comparable to the rest of the country.

How concentrated is the fast-food cook job market in Ames, IA?

The job market concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.97, indicating that the proportion of fast-food cooks in Ames is very close to the national proportion.

How many fast-food cooks are there in Ames, IA?

There are approximately 240 Cooks, Fast Food employed in Ames, IA, representing 4.194 jobs per 1,000 workers in the local economy.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 240 employees in the Ames, IA area with a job density of 4.194 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Ames, IA