Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Cooks in the fast-food sector within the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $31,530. This figure slightly surpasses the national average of $31,130, indicating a marginally higher compensation landscape in this region. Local economic factors and demand dynamics likely contribute to this slight premium over the national benchmark.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $31,530 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 28.8% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $38,350.
- Outlook: The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area supports a substantial workforce of 5,230 Cooks, Fast Food. With a Location Quotient of 0.42, the concentration of these roles is below the national average, suggesting that while the absolute number of jobs is significant, the industry is not disproportionately concentrated here compared to other regions. This indicates a stable, albeit not exceptionally high, demand for fast-food cooks.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns+1.3%above the national average.
$15.2
$606
$2,628
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area have experienced gradual growth over the past four years, mirroring general wage inflation and potential increases in minimum wage legislation. This trend would likely reflect an upward adjustment in compensation to keep pace with the cost of living and labor market demands.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Career progression for Cooks, Fast Food typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more senior roles, often with increased responsibilities and supervisory duties. While specific percentile data is unavailable, it's understood that experienced cooks command higher salaries, with significant gaps between entry-level and senior positions reflecting this earned progression and skill development.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $24,280 | $11.7 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $23,648 | $11.4 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $29,460 | $14.2 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $39,413 | $18.9 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $38,350 | $18.4 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$31,530
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$31,530
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $31,530 for Cooks, Fast Food in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of this salary is equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the nominal wage effectively covers the typical expenses associated with living in this metropolitan area.
Job Market Context
5,230
Total Jobs
1.822
Per 1K Jobs
0.42
Location Quotient
At 0.42x, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has a notably lower concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.
A Location Quotient of 0.42 for Cooks, Fast Food in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington indicates that this occupation is less concentrated in this region compared to the national average. This suggests that while there are a considerable number of jobs available (5,230), the market is not saturated, and the demand may be met by the existing workforce without intense competition for entry-level positions.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $36,480↑ 16% | 28 mi |
| Vineland, NJ Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $34,030↑ 8% | 35 mi |
| Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $29,920↓ 5% | 47 mi |
| Reading, PA Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $28,640↓ 9% | 48 mi |
Comparing salaries near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $31,530. This typically ranges from $24,280 for entry-level positions to $38,350 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 1.3% higher than the national median of $31,130.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.The average salary for Cooks, Fast Food is only slightly above the national average, and the Cost of Living Index is exactly at the national average, offering no substantial financial advantage.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
Some top paying nearby cities include Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($36,480) and Vineland, NJ.
How does the local salary compare to the national average for Fast Food Cooks?
The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is $31,530, which is slightly higher than the national average of $31,130.
What is the concentration of Fast Food Cooks in this area?
The Location Quotient for Cooks, Fast Food in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is 0.42, meaning the occupation is less concentrated here than the national average.
How does the Cost of Living affect the salary for Fast Food Cooks in Philadelphia?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local salary of $31,530 has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, indicating no significant impact from cost of living on real wages.
What is the total number of Fast Food Cooks in the Philadelphia area?
There are approximately 5,230 Cooks, Fast Food employed in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington 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 5,230 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 1.822 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD