SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Columbus, GA-AL

In Columbus, GA-AL, the average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food is approximately $25,990. This figure falls below the national average of $31,130, indicating a localized pay structure influenced by regional economic factors and the specific demand within the fast-food sector in this metropolitan area.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $25,990 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.5% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $32,180.
  • Outlook: The Columbus, GA-AL area supports a local workforce of 520 Cooks, Fast Food, with a location quotient of 1.02, suggesting a concentration very close to the national average. This indicates a stable, albeit not exceptionally high, demand for these roles within the local job market, reflecting a consistent need for fast-food services.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$25,990

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Columbus, GA-AL earns-16.5%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$12.5

Weekly

$500

Monthly

$2,166

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Columbus, GA-AL

Career progression for Cooks, Fast Food typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more senior roles, often with increased responsibilities and supervisory duties. While specific percentile salary data is unavailable, the typical salary range for this profession signifies that experienced individuals can command higher earnings than those just starting out, with significant percentile gaps reflecting substantial career advancement.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$21,690$10.4
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$19,493$9.4
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$24,930$12
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$32,488$15.6
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$32,180$15.5

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$25,990

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$25,990

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $25,990 in Columbus, GA-AL aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which represents the national average. This means that while the salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of this income is comparable to the national standard, making the cost of living neither a significant advantage nor disadvantage.

Job Market Context

520

Total Jobs

4.434

Per 1K Jobs

1.02

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.02, Columbus, GA-AL has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Fast Food roles compared to the national norm.

With a Location Quotient of 1.02, the job market for Cooks, Fast Food in Columbus, GA-AL is nearly on par with the national average in terms of concentration. This suggests a balanced market where the number of jobs is relatively proportional to the number of workers, indicating neither a significant surplus nor a severe shortage of fast-food cooks.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Auburn-Opelika, AL Cooks, Fast Food Salary$25,770↓ 1%36 mi
Warner Robins, GA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$25,500↓ 2%72 mi
Albany, GA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$23,430↓ 10%76 mi
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$26,270↑ 1%81 mi

Comparing salaries near Columbus, GA-AL

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Columbus, GA-AL?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Columbus, GA-AL is $25,990. This typically ranges from $21,690 for entry-level positions to $32,180 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Columbus, GA-AL is 16.5% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Columbus, GA-AL a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $25,990 is below the national average, though the cost of living is also at the national average, balancing out purchasing power.

Is Columbus, GA-AL a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Columbus, GA-AL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Columbus, GA-AL?

Some top paying nearby cities include Auburn-Opelika, AL ($25,770) and Warner Robins, GA.

How does the Columbus, GA-AL salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Columbus, GA-AL is $25,990, which is lower than the national average of $31,130.

What is the Cost of Living in Columbus, GA-AL?

The Cost of Living Index in Columbus, GA-AL is 100, which is exactly the national average.

How concentrated are Fast Food Cook jobs in Columbus, GA-AL?

The concentration of Fast Food Cook jobs in Columbus, GA-AL, measured by the Location Quotient, is 1.02, indicating a presence very close to the national average concentration.

How many Fast Food Cooks are there in Columbus, GA-AL?

There are approximately 520 Cooks, Fast Food employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 520 employees in the Columbus, GA-AL area with a job density of 4.434 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 Columbus, GA-AL