Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area
Cooks in the East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $21,630. This figure is notably below the national average of $31,130, reflecting regional economic factors and potentially a lower cost of labor. The specific economic landscape of this nonmetropolitan region plays a significant role in dictating compensation levels for fast-food positions.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $21,630 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 4.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $27,320.
- Outlook: The East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area supports a substantial workforce of 1,550 Cooks, Fast Food, indicating a consistent demand for these roles. With a Location Quotient of 3.88, the concentration of these jobs is significantly higher than the national average, suggesting a robust and specialized local market for fast-food employment.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area earns-30.5%below the national average.
$10.4
$416
$1,803
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for the last four years is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in nonmetropolitan areas like East Kentucky have seen modest growth, mirroring national trends. This growth is often influenced by minimum wage adjustments, inflation, and the overall economic health of the region, leading to incremental increases in average annual earnings over time.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area
As with most professions, experience significantly impacts the earning potential for Cooks, Fast Food. Entry-level positions typically command the lower end of the salary spectrum, while senior cooks or those with specialized skills and supervisory responsibilities can expect to earn considerably more. The percentile gaps in salary distribution highlight clear opportunities for career progression and increased compensation within this field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $18,070 | $8.7 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $16,223 | $7.8 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $20,990 | $10.1 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $27,038 | $13 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $27,320 | $13.1 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$21,630
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$21,630
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $21,630 in East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of this income locally is comparable to the national average, suggesting that the lower wages are offset by a standard cost of living.
Job Market Context
1,550
Total Jobs
16.8
Per 1K Jobs
3.88
Location Quotient
East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area has 3.9x 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 exceptionally high Location Quotient of 3.88 for Cooks, Fast Food in the East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area signifies a deeply concentrated job market. This indicates that the demand for fast-food cooks relative to the general workforce is nearly four times the national average, making this a specialized and potentially competitive employment sector within the region.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,750↑ 19% | 28 mi |
| Elizabethtown, KY Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,250↑ 17% | 66 mi |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $26,840↑ 24% | 72 mi |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $29,360↑ 36% | 100 mi |
Comparing salaries near East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area is $21,630. This typically ranges from $18,070 for entry-level positions to $27,320 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area is 30.5% lower than the national median of $31,130.
Is East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, it is not a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods.The average salary of $21,630 is significantly lower than the national average, and while the cost of living is average, the overall compensation is not considered high.
Is East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area?
Some top paying nearby cities include Lexington-Fayette, KY ($25,750) and Elizabethtown, KY.
How does the job concentration compare nationally?
The job concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 3.88, which is significantly higher than the national average of 1.0, indicating a strong presence of fast-food cook roles in East Kentucky.
What is the total number of fast-food cooks in the area?
There are approximately 1,550 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food in the East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area.
How many fast-food cooks are there per 1,000 workers?
There are 16.8 Cooks, Fast Food jobs per 1,000 workers in the East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area.
Does the cost of living affect the salary?
Yes, the cost of living in East Kentucky is at the national average (100), meaning the lower nominal salary of $21,630 has a purchasing power equivalent to the national average, despite being lower than the national salary average.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,550 employees in the East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area area with a job density of 16.8 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 East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area