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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Cooks in the fast-food sector within the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA area earn an average annual salary of $28,850. This figure is notably below the national average of $31,130, suggesting that local market dynamics, such as labor supply and demand, may be influencing compensation levels in this specific region.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $28,850 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 47.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $37,690.
  • Outlook: The Harrisburg-Carlisle area supports a local workforce of 610 Cooks, Fast Food. With a Location Quotient of 0.42, the concentration of these roles is below the national average, indicating a less saturated market relative to other areas. The presence of 1.832 jobs per 1,000 workers suggests a steady, albeit not exceptionally high, demand for fast-food cooking professionals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$28,850

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA earns-7.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$13.9

Weekly

$555

Monthly

$2,404

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food 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 significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify career progression opportunities within the fast-food industry, rewarding dedication and skill development.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,500$10.8
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$21,638$10.4
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$28,210$13.6
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$36,063$17.3
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$37,690$18.1

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$28,850

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$28,850

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $28,850 in Harrisburg-Carlisle aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average for this role, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to the national average, suggesting a balanced economic environment for residents.

Job Market Context

610

Total Jobs

1.832

Per 1K Jobs

0.42

Location Quotient

Low Concentration

At 0.42x, Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA has a notably lower concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.

A Location Quotient of 0.42 for Cooks, Fast Food in Harrisburg-Carlisle indicates that this profession is less concentrated locally compared to the national average. This suggests that while there is a presence of these jobs, the market is not saturated, potentially offering opportunities for skilled individuals, but also implying that the demand might not be exceptionally robust compared to national benchmarks.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
York-Hanover, PA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$28,050↓ 3%23 mi
Lancaster, PA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$28,390↓ 2%35 mi
Gettysburg, PA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$28,780↓ 0%36 mi
Chambersburg, PA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$27,610↓ 4%47 mi

Comparing salaries near Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is $28,850. This typically ranges from $22,500 for entry-level positions to $37,690 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is 7.3% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $28,850 is below the national average, and while the cost of living is on par, the overall compensation is not exceptionally high for this role.

Is Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

Some top paying nearby cities include York-Hanover, PA ($28,050) and Lancaster, PA.

How does the local salary compare to the national average for Fast Food Cooks?

The average annual salary for Fast Food Cooks in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is $28,850, which is lower than the national average of $31,130.

What is the Cost of Living in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

The Cost of Living Index in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is 100, which is exactly the national average.

How concentrated are Fast Food Cook jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle?

The concentration of Fast Food Cook jobs, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.42, which is below the national average of 1.0.

What is the total number of Fast Food Cooks in Harrisburg-Carlisle?

There are approximately 610 Fast Food Cooks employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 610 employees in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA area with a job density of 1.832 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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA