Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
In Charleston-North Charleston, SC, Cooks, Fast Food earn an average annual salary of $26,510. This figure is notably below the national average of $31,130, suggesting that local market dynamics, such as labor supply and demand, may influence compensation levels in this sector within the region.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $26,510 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 25.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $34,280.
- Outlook: The local job market for Cooks, Fast Food in Charleston-North Charleston, SC, comprises approximately 1,000 workers. With a Location Quotient of 0.6, the concentration of these roles is below the national average, indicating a less saturated market relative to other occupations in the area. The presence of 2.584 jobs per 1,000 workers suggests a steady, albeit not exceptionally high, demand for fast-food cooking professionals.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Charleston-North Charleston, SC earns-14.8%below the national average.
$12.7
$510
$2,209
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is generally assumed that the fast-food industry, like many others, has experienced salary adjustments over the past four years. Economic factors and inflation typically drive incremental salary growth for roles such as Cooks, Fast Food, aiming to keep pace with the cost of living and retain workforce participation.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
For Cooks, Fast Food in Charleston-North Charleston, SC, career progression typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more experienced or supervisory roles. While specific salary percentiles are not detailed here, it's understood that individuals with greater experience, specialized skills, or supervisory responsibilities can command higher salaries, with significant percentile gaps reflecting this advancement.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $18,830 | $9.1 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $19,883 | $9.6 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $25,640 | $12.3 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $33,138 | $15.9 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $34,280 | $16.5 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$26,510
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$26,510
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Charleston-North Charleston, SC, stands at $26,510. This nominal income aligns directly with the local Cost of Living Index, which is precisely at the national average of 100. Therefore, the purchasing power of this salary is equivalent to the national average, meaning that while the salary is lower than the national average, the cost of essential goods and services is also at the national benchmark.
Job Market Context
1,000
Total Jobs
2.584
Per 1K Jobs
0.6
Location Quotient
Charleston-North Charleston, SC has 0.60x 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.
Charleston-North Charleston, SC, exhibits a Location Quotient of 0.6 for Cooks, Fast Food, signifying that this occupation is less concentrated locally compared to the national average. This suggests that the job market may be less competitive in terms of the sheer number of available workers relative to demand, potentially offering opportunities for those seeking employment in this field.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $27,060↑ 2% | 63 mi |
| Sumter, SC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $24,970↓ 6% | 81 mi |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $24,660↓ 7% | 88 mi |
| Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,490↓ 4% | 91 mi |
Comparing salaries near Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $26,510. This typically ranges from $18,830 for entry-level positions to $34,280 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is 14.8% lower than the national median of $31,130.
Is Charleston-North Charleston, SC a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, not particularly lucrative.The average salary of $26,510 is below the national average, and while the cost of living is also at the national average, the lower pay indicates less financial advantage compared to other regions.
Is Charleston-North Charleston, SC a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Some top paying nearby cities include Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC ($27,060) and Sumter, SC.
How does the Charleston-North Charleston salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $26,510, which is lower than the national average of $31,130.
What is the job concentration for Fast Food Cooks in this area?
The Location Quotient for Cooks, Fast Food in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is 0.6, indicating a lower concentration of these jobs compared to the national average.
How does the cost of living affect the salary for Fast Food Cooks?
The Cost of Living Index in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is 100, which is the national average. This means the $26,510 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary.
What does the total local workforce size suggest about job availability?
With a local workforce of 1,000 Cooks, Fast Food, the market size is moderate, and the jobs per 1,000 workers metric (2.584) suggests a consistent, but not overwhelming, demand for these roles.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,000 employees in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC area with a job density of 2.584 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC