Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Cooks in the fast-food sector within the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area earn an average annual salary of $25,530. This figure falls below the national average of $31,130, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially lower operational costs in this region influence compensation. The concentration of these roles locally also plays a part in the overall salary landscape.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $25,530 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 34.0% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $28,910.
- Outlook: The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area demonstrates a significant concentration of fast-food cook positions, as indicated by a Location Quotient of 4.45, which is substantially higher than the national average. With a local workforce of 2,990 individuals in this role, and 19.302 jobs per 1,000 workers, the demand for fast-food cooks appears robust and well-established within this specific metropolitan area.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC earns-18.0%below the national average.
$12.3
$491
$2,128
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this exact role in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is not provided, it is generally observed that salaries for fast-food cooks nationwide have seen incremental growth over the past four years, driven by factors such as minimum wage adjustments and increased demand for quick-service dining options. It is reasonable to assume a similar, albeit potentially more modest, upward trend in local compensation has occurred.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Career progression for fast-food cooks typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more experienced or supervisory roles. While specific percentile salary data is not available, it's understood that individuals with greater experience, specialized skills, or leadership responsibilities within a fast-food establishment can command higher salaries. The gap between entry-level and senior positions signifies a clear path for earning potential growth.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $21,520 | $10.3 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $19,148 | $9.2 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $24,180 | $11.6 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $31,913 | $15.3 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $28,910 | $13.9 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$25,530
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$25,530
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $25,530 for fast-food cooks in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of this income is comparable to the national standard, indicating a balanced economic environment for residents.
Job Market Context
2,990
Total Jobs
19.302
Per 1K Jobs
4.45
Location Quotient
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC has 4.5x 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.
With a Location Quotient of 4.45, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC exhibits a highly concentrated market for fast-food cooks, far exceeding the national average. This suggests that the demand for these roles is significantly higher relative to the general workforce compared to other regions, potentially leading to more job opportunities but also a competitive environment for securing positions.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $27,980↑ 10% | 45 mi |
| Spartanburg, SC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,930↑ 2% | 65 mi |
| Winston-Salem, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $26,720↑ 5% | 65 mi |
| Asheville, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $27,130↑ 6% | 70 mi |
| Johnson City, TN Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $27,090↑ 6% | 72 mi |
Comparing salaries near Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $25,530. This typically ranges from $21,520 for entry-level positions to $28,910 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is 18.0% lower than the national median of $31,130.
Is Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to national averages.While the cost of living is on par with the national average, the average salary of $25,530 is significantly lower than the national average of $31,130 for fast-food cooks.
Is Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Some top paying nearby cities include Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($27,980) and Spartanburg, SC.
How does the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for fast-food cooks in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $25,530, which is notably lower than the national average of $31,130.
What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) for fast-food cooks in this area?
A Location Quotient of 4.45 indicates that fast-food cooks are 4.45 times more concentrated in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC than in the average U.S. location, signifying a strong local presence of this occupation.
How does the Cost of Living Index affect the salary?
The Cost of Living Index in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is 100, matching the national average. This means the $25,530 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, despite being lower in nominal terms.
What is the total number of fast-food cooks in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area?
There are approximately 2,990 fast-food cooks employed within the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC 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 2,990 employees in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area with a job density of 19.302 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC