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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Beckley, WV

In Beckley, West Virginia, the average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food stands at $22,670. This figure is notably below the national average of $31,130, indicating a localized compensation structure influenced by regional economic factors and the specific demand within the Beckley market for this role.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $22,670 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 12.8% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $26,300.
  • Outlook: Beckley, WV presents a significant concentration of Fast Food Cook positions, with a total local workforce of 1,020 individuals in this role. The Location Quotient of 5.52 far exceeds the national average, suggesting a robust and specialized demand for these workers within the local economy, making it a key employment sector.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$22,670

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Beckley, WV earns-27.2%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$10.9

Weekly

$436

Monthly

$1,889

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Beckley, WV

Career progression for Cooks, Fast Food in Beckley, WV, typically involves a salary increase from entry-level positions to more senior roles. While precise percentile data isn't available, the difference between starting wages and those earned by experienced or supervisory cooks signifies clear opportunities for advancement and higher earning potential within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$20,770$10
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$17,003$8.2
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$21,490$10.3
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$28,338$13.6
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$26,300$12.6

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$22,670

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$22,670

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $22,670 in Beckley, WV, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This suggests that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average for this specific job, the cost of essential goods and services in Beckley is comparable to the national benchmark, potentially balancing the lower nominal wage.

Job Market Context

1,020

Total Jobs

23.931

Per 1K Jobs

5.52

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Beckley, WV has 5.5x the national concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

Beckley, WV exhibits an exceptionally high Location Quotient of 5.52 for Cooks, Fast Food, indicating that this profession is over 5 times more concentrated locally than the national average. This suggests a highly specialized and potentially competitive market where demand for these skills is significantly pronounced relative to other occupations.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Charleston, WV Cooks, Fast Food Salary$24,000↑ 6%46 mi
Roanoke, VA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$28,460↑ 26%76 mi
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Cooks, Fast Food Salary$23,730↑ 5%80 mi

Comparing salaries near Beckley, WV

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Beckley, WV?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Beckley, WV is $22,670. This typically ranges from $20,770 for entry-level positions to $26,300 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Beckley, WV is 27.2% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Beckley, WV a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, it is not a particularly lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods based on average earnings.The average annual salary of $22,670 is substantially lower than the national average, although the cost of living is on par with the national average.

Is Beckley, WV a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

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

Where are the highest paying cities near Beckley, WV?

Some top paying nearby cities include Charleston, WV ($24,000) and Roanoke, VA.

How does Beckley's cost of living compare to the national average?

Beckley, WV has a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is exactly the same as the national average.

What is the concentration of Fast Food Cooks in Beckley, WV?

The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 5.52, meaning the job is over 5 times more common in Beckley than across the United States.

How many Fast Food Cooks are there in Beckley, WV?

There are approximately 1,020 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food in Beckley, WV.

What is the difference between Beckley's average salary and the national average for this role?

The average salary in Beckley ($22,670) is $8,460 lower than the national average salary ($31,130) for Cooks, Fast Food.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,020 employees in the Beckley, WV area with a job density of 23.931 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 Beckley, WV