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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Clarksville, TN-KY

Cooks in fast-food establishments in Clarksville, TN-KY earn an average annual salary of $26,560. This figure is notably below the national average of $31,130, indicating a localized pay structure influenced by regional economic factors and the specific demand within the Clarksville market.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $26,560 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 24.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $35,850.
  • Outlook: The Clarksville, TN-KY area supports a substantial local workforce of 910 Cooks, Fast Food, with 9.044 jobs per 1,000 workers. This concentration, reflected in a Location Quotient of 2.09, suggests a robust and relatively high demand for these roles compared to the national landscape, pointing to a stable job market for fast-food cooks in the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$26,560

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Clarksville, TN-KY earns-14.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$12.8

Weekly

$511

Monthly

$2,213

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Clarksville, TN-KY

Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food in Clarksville, TN-KY typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks with extensive experience and supervisory responsibilities can command higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings signify clear career progression pathways within the fast-food industry.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$20,030$9.6
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$19,920$9.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$26,250$12.6
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$33,200$16
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$35,850$17.2

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$26,560

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$26,560

Adjusted for COL (100)

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Clarksville, TN-KY is at the national average for affordability. The nominal salary of $26,560, therefore, holds its purchasing power directly in line with the national average, meaning that while the salary is lower than the national average, the cost of living does not exacerbate the difference.

Job Market Context

910

Total Jobs

9.044

Per 1K Jobs

2.09

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Clarksville, TN-KY has 2.1x 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.

The Location Quotient of 2.09 for Cooks, Fast Food in Clarksville, TN-KY indicates a significant concentration of these jobs relative to the national average. This suggests that the job market is more abundant with opportunities for fast-food cooks in Clarksville than in many other areas across the country, making it a potentially competitive but opportunity-rich environment.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Cooks, Fast Food Salary$32,030↑ 21%42 mi
Bowling Green, KY Cooks, Fast Food Salary$25,150↓ 5%57 mi
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$28,510↑ 7%67 mi
South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$28,340↑ 7%67 mi
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$27,920↑ 5%67 mi

Comparing salaries near Clarksville, TN-KY

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Clarksville, TN-KY?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Clarksville, TN-KY is $26,560. This typically ranges from $20,030 for entry-level positions to $35,850 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Clarksville, TN-KY is 14.7% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Clarksville, TN-KY a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.While the cost of living is average, the average salary of $26,560 is significantly lower than the national average of $31,130, indicating less lucrative earning potential.

Is Clarksville, TN-KY a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Clarksville, TN-KY is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Clarksville, TN-KY?

Some top paying nearby cities include Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ($32,030) and Bowling Green, KY.

How does Clarksville's fast-food job market compare nationally?

Clarksville, TN-KY has a higher concentration of fast-food cook jobs than the national average, with a Location Quotient of 2.09, suggesting greater local demand.

What is the impact of the Cost of Living Index in Clarksville?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Clarksville's affordability is on par with the national average, meaning the local salary's purchasing power aligns with the national standard.

Can experience increase a fast-food cook's salary in Clarksville?

Yes, experience is a key factor in salary progression, with senior cooks earning more than entry-level positions, reflecting career advancement opportunities.

What is the total number of fast-food cooks in Clarksville?

The total local workforce for Cooks, Fast Food in Clarksville, TN-KY is approximately 910 individuals.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 910 employees in the Clarksville, TN-KY area with a job density of 9.044 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 Clarksville, TN-KY