SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Maryland

Cooks in Maryland's fast-food sector earn an average annual salary of $33,710, surpassing the national average of $31,130. This higher compensation is often influenced by Maryland's unique economic landscape and potentially higher operational costs for businesses within the state.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $33,710 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 29.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $38,010.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 9,550 individuals in this role, Maryland demonstrates a significant presence of fast-food cooks. The Location Quotient of 0.8 suggests that while the concentration is slightly below the national average, the sheer size of the workforce indicates a stable and consistent demand for these positions within the state.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$33,710

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Maryland earns+8.3%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.2

Weekly

$648

Monthly

$2,809

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Maryland

Salary progression for fast-food cooks typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks with extensive experience and supervisory responsibilities can command salaries significantly higher than the average. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect these opportunities for career advancement.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$31,200$15
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$25,283$12.2
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$31,770$15.3
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$42,138$20.3
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$38,010$18.3

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$33,710

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$26,946

Adjusted for COL (125.1)

The nominal average annual salary of $33,710 in Maryland needs to be viewed in the context of its Cost of Living Index of 125.1. This index, which is 25.1% higher than the national average, means that the purchasing power of this salary is reduced compared to areas with a lower cost of living, requiring careful budgeting.

Job Market Context

9,550

Total Jobs

3.477

Per 1K Jobs

0.8

Location Quotient

Below Average

Maryland has 0.80x the national average concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.8 indicates that fast-food cooks are slightly less concentrated in Maryland compared to the national average. This suggests that while the job market is robust enough to support a large workforce, it may not be saturated, potentially offering a balanced environment for job seekers.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Cooks, Fast Food Salary$36,600↑ 9%17 mi
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Cooks, Fast Food Salary$33,440↓ 1%19 mi
Gettysburg, PA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$28,780↓ 15%58 mi
York-Hanover, PA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$28,050↓ 17%62 mi

Comparing salaries near Maryland

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Maryland?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Maryland is $33,710. This typically ranges from $31,200 for entry-level positions to $38,010 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Maryland is 8.3% higher than the national median of $31,130.

Is Maryland a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

Moderately, with caveats.Maryland offers a higher average salary than the national average, but this is offset by a significantly higher cost of living, impacting overall financial well-being.

Is Maryland a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Maryland is 125.1. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Maryland?

Some top paying nearby cities include Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($36,600) and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD.

How does the Maryland salary compare to the national average?

Cooks, Fast Food in Maryland earn an average of $33,710 annually, which is approximately $2,580 more than the national average of $31,130.

What is the concentration of Fast Food Cooks in Maryland?

Maryland has a Location Quotient of 0.8 for Fast Food Cooks, indicating a slightly lower concentration of these jobs relative to the national average.

How does the cost of living affect the salary in Maryland?

With a Cost of Living Index of 125.1, Maryland is more expensive than the national average, meaning the higher salary may not translate to proportionally higher disposable income.

What is the total number of Fast Food Cooks in Maryland?

There are approximately 9,550 Fast Food Cooks employed in Maryland.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 9,550 employees in the Maryland area with a job density of 3.477 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 Maryland