Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Cooks in fast-food establishments within the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN area earn an average annual salary of $26,840. This figure falls below the national average of $31,130, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially regional economic factors influence compensation for this role. Understanding these local pay scales is crucial for both employers and job seekers in the area.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $26,840 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 25.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $35,260.
- Outlook: The Louisville/Jefferson County region supports a substantial workforce of 4,390 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food. With a Location Quotient of 1.48, this indicates a higher concentration of these jobs compared to the national average, suggesting a robust and potentially growing demand for fast-food service professionals in this specific metropolitan area.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN earns-13.8%below the national average.
$12.9
$516
$2,237
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this role in Louisville/Jefferson County is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Cooks, Fast Food have seen modest growth over the past four years, mirroring broader economic trends and inflation adjustments. This upward trend, though potentially incremental, is typical across many service industry roles as businesses adapt to changing labor market conditions and cost of living.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions often start near the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks or shift supervisors can command significantly higher earnings. The percentile gaps in salary distribution, though not detailed here, would signify the earning potential as one moves from a trainee role to a seasoned professional with supervisory responsibilities.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $21,350 | $10.3 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $20,130 | $9.7 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $27,040 | $13 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $33,550 | $16.1 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $35,260 | $17 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$26,840
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$26,840
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $26,840 in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN 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 salary is comparable to the national standard, indicating a balanced economic environment for residents.
Job Market Context
4,390
Total Jobs
6.396
Per 1K Jobs
1.48
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.48, Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Fast Food roles compared to the national norm.
A Location Quotient of 1.48 for Cooks, Fast Food in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN signifies a notable concentration of this occupation relative to the national average. This suggests that the job market for fast-food cooks is more abundant or in higher demand locally than in many other parts of the country, potentially leading to increased competition for open positions but also indicating a stable sector.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, KY Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,250↓ 6% | 39 mi |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $23,550↓ 12% | 72 mi |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $23,200↓ 14% | 72 mi |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $23,930↓ 11% | 72 mi |
Comparing salaries near Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is $26,840. This typically ranges from $21,350 for entry-level positions to $35,260 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is 13.8% lower than the national median of $31,130.
Is Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.While the cost of living is average, the average salary for Cooks, Fast Food is below the national average, indicating less lucrative compensation compared to the broader U.S. market.
Is Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Some top paying nearby cities include Elizabethtown, KY ($25,250) and Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area.
How does the local salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is $26,840, which is lower than the national average of $31,130.
What is the concentration of fast-food cooks in Louisville/Jefferson County?
The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 1.48, indicating a higher presence of fast-food cooks in this area compared to the national average.
How does the cost of living affect the salary?
The Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. This means the $26,840 salary has average purchasing power locally.
How many fast-food cooks are there in Louisville/Jefferson County?
There are approximately 4,390 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-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 4,390 employees in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN area with a job density of 6.396 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- All Occupations Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Production Occupations Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Management Occupations Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Browse All Jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN