Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
In Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN, the average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food is approximately $27,200. This figure falls below the national average of $31,130, indicating a localized pay structure influenced by regional economic factors and the specific demand within the area. The cost of living in Lafayette-West Lafayette is right at the national average, suggesting that while nominal wages are lower, purchasing power may be relatively stable.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $27,200 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 27.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $35,790.
- Outlook: The Lafayette-West Lafayette area supports a local workforce of 220 Cooks, Fast Food, with 2.111 jobs per 1,000 workers. The Location Quotient of 0.49 suggests that this profession is less concentrated here compared to the national average, implying a potentially moderate demand relative to the overall job market. While not a high-concentration area, the existing workforce indicates a stable presence for this role.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN earns-12.6%below the national average.
$13.1
$523
$2,267
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this role in Lafayette-West Lafayette is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Cooks, Fast Food have seen incremental growth over the past four years, mirroring broader economic trends and inflation adjustments. Such increases are typically driven by minimum wage adjustments, cost of living pressures, and evolving employer competition for labor.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks or those with specialized skills can command higher salaries. The percentile gaps in pay signify clear career progression pathways, rewarding accumulated expertise and responsibility within fast-food establishments.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $21,300 | $10.2 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $20,400 | $9.8 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $26,360 | $12.7 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $34,000 | $16.3 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $35,790 | $17.2 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$27,200
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$27,200
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $27,200 in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of the local salary is comparable to the national average, suggesting that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average for this role, the cost of goods and services locally does not present a significant disadvantage.
Job Market Context
220
Total Jobs
2.111
Per 1K Jobs
0.49
Location Quotient
At 0.49x, Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN has a notably lower concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.
With a Location Quotient of 0.49, the market for Cooks, Fast Food in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN, is less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that the job market is not saturated, and while there might not be an overwhelming abundance of these positions compared to other regions, there is a consistent presence. This could translate to a moderately competitive environment for job seekers.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $26,610↓ 2% | 50 mi |
| Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,410↓ 7% | 50 mi |
| Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $27,610↑ 2% | 50 mi |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $31,260↑ 15% | 57 mi |
Comparing salaries near Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is $27,200. This typically ranges from $21,300 for entry-level positions to $35,790 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is 12.6% lower than the national median of $31,130.
Is Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $27,200 is below the national average of $31,130, although the cost of living is on par with the national average.
Is Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Some top paying nearby cities include Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area ($26,610) and Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area.
How does the Lafayette-West Lafayette salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is $27,200, which is $3,930 less than the national average of $31,130.
What is the concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The Location Quotient for Cooks, Fast Food in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is 0.49, indicating that the job concentration is less than half of the national average.
How does the Cost of Living affect the salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The Cost of Living Index in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is 100, which is the national average. This means the lower nominal salary has a purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
What is the total workforce size for Cooks, Fast Food in this area?
There are approximately 220 Cooks, Fast Food employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 220 employees in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN area with a job density of 2.111 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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN