Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Fayetteville, NC
In Fayetteville, NC, Cooks, Fast Food earn an average annual salary of $24,750, which is notably below the national average of $31,130. This disparity is often influenced by local economic factors, including the cost of labor and the specific demand dynamics within the region's food service sector.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $24,750 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 34.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $27,940.
- Outlook: Fayetteville, NC presents a robust employment landscape for Cooks, Fast Food, evidenced by a substantial local workforce of 4,120 individuals. The exceptionally high Location Quotient of 7.17 indicates a significant concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting strong local demand and a well-established presence of fast-food establishments.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Fayetteville, NC earns-20.5%below the national average.
$11.9
$476
$2,063
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Fayetteville's fast-food cook salaries over the past four years isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume a general upward trend in line with national wage growth. Factors such as inflation, minimum wage adjustments, and evolving labor market conditions typically contribute to incremental salary increases for roles in this sector over time.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Fayetteville, NC
Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food in Fayetteville, NC, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and supervisory skills can command higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings signify clear career progression pathways within the fast-food industry.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $20,970 | $10.1 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $18,563 | $8.9 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $25,490 | $12.3 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $30,938 | $14.9 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $27,940 | $13.4 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$24,750
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$24,750
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $24,750 for Cooks, Fast Food in Fayetteville, NC, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that income is effectively equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial standing relative to living expenses.
Job Market Context
4,120
Total Jobs
31.065
Per 1K Jobs
7.17
Location Quotient
Fayetteville, NC has 7.2x 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.
Fayetteville, NC exhibits a highly concentrated market for Cooks, Fast Food, with a Location Quotient of 7.17. This significantly above-average concentration suggests that the demand for these roles is substantially higher in Fayetteville relative to the rest of the country, potentially leading to more job opportunities and a competitive labor environment for employers.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,100↑ 1% | 29 mi |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $26,990↑ 9% | 55 mi |
| Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $24,520↓ 1% | 60 mi |
| Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $26,630↑ 8% | 60 mi |
| Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,110↑ 1% | 60 mi |
Comparing salaries near Fayetteville, NC
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Fayetteville, NC?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Fayetteville, NC is $24,750. This typically ranges from $20,970 for entry-level positions to $27,940 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Fayetteville, NC is 20.5% lower than the national median of $31,130.
Is Fayetteville, NC a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, not in terms of nominal salary compared to the national average.While the cost of living is on par with the national average, the average salary of $24,750 is considerably lower than the national average of $31,130 for Cooks, Fast Food.
Is Fayetteville, NC a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Fayetteville, NC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Fayetteville, NC?
Some top paying nearby cities include Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC ($25,100) and Raleigh-Cary, NC.
What is the average salary for a Fast Food Cook in Fayetteville, NC?
The average annual salary for a Cook, Fast Food in Fayetteville, NC is $24,750.
How does Fayetteville's salary for Fast Food Cooks compare to the national average?
The average salary in Fayetteville ($24,750) is lower than the national average ($31,130) for Cooks, Fast Food.
What does the Location Quotient of 7.17 mean for Fast Food Cooks in Fayetteville?
A Location Quotient of 7.17 indicates that the concentration of Fast Food Cooks in Fayetteville is over seven times higher than the national average, signifying strong local demand.
How does the Cost of Living in Fayetteville affect the salary of a Fast Food Cook?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Fayetteville's living expenses are average nationally. Therefore, the lower nominal salary of $24,750 has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 4,120 employees in the Fayetteville, NC area with a job density of 31.065 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Cooks, Fast Food Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Fayetteville, NC
- All Occupations Salary in Fayetteville, NC
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Fayetteville, NC
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Fayetteville, NC
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Fayetteville, NC
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Fayetteville, NC
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Fayetteville, NC
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Fayetteville, NC
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Fayetteville, NC
- Management Occupations Salary in Fayetteville, NC
- Production Occupations Salary in Fayetteville, NC
- Browse All Jobs in Fayetteville, NC →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Fayetteville, NC