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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

Cooks in the fast-food sector within the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $23,730. This figure is notably below the national average of $31,130. Local economic factors and the specific demand within this region contribute to this salary differential.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $23,730 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 9.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $27,670.
  • Outlook: The Huntington-Ashland area supports a substantial workforce of 2,790 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food. With a Location Quotient of 4.59, indicating a concentration significantly higher than the national average, the job market for these roles appears robust and in high demand within the local economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$23,730

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH earns-23.8%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$11.4

Weekly

$456

Monthly

$1,978

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks or those with supervisory responsibilities can command higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings signify clear career progression pathways within this occupation.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$21,210$10.2
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$17,798$8.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$22,370$10.8
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$29,663$14.3
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$27,670$13.3

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$23,730

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$23,730

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $23,730 in Huntington-Ashland 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, its purchasing power locally is comparable to the national average, suggesting a balanced economic environment for residents.

Job Market Context

2,790

Total Jobs

19.913

Per 1K Jobs

4.59

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH has 4.6x 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.

A Location Quotient of 4.59 for Cooks, Fast Food in Huntington-Ashland signifies a highly concentrated job market. This indicates that the demand for these roles is substantially greater in this region compared to the national average, suggesting a competitive environment for employers seeking to fill positions.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Charleston, WV Cooks, Fast Food Salary$24,000↑ 1%44 mi
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV Cooks, Fast Food Salary$23,660↓ 0%76 mi
Beckley, WV Cooks, Fast Food Salary$22,670↓ 4%80 mi

Comparing salaries near Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH is $23,730. This typically ranges from $21,210 for entry-level positions to $27,670 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH is 23.8% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, but the market is concentrated.The average salary of $23,730 is below the national average, though the high concentration of jobs suggests strong local demand.

Is Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?

Some top paying nearby cities include Charleston, WV ($24,000) and Parkersburg-Vienna, WV.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Huntington-Ashland is $23,730, which is significantly lower than the national average of $31,130.

What does the Location Quotient of 4.59 mean for this job?

A Location Quotient of 4.59 indicates that the Huntington-Ashland area has a much higher concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs relative to the national average, suggesting strong local demand.

How does the Cost of Living affect the salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local purchasing power of the $23,730 salary is equivalent to the national average, despite the lower nominal wage.

What is the total number of fast-food cooks in the area?

There are approximately 2,790 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food in the Huntington-Ashland 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 2,790 employees in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH area with a job density of 19.913 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH