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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Cooks in the fast-food sector within the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $42,720. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $31,130, indicating a higher demand or a different economic landscape influencing compensation in this region. Factors such as the local cost of labor and the specific economic drivers of the Portland area likely contribute to this elevated pay scale.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $42,720 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 27.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $58,240.
  • Outlook: The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area supports a local workforce of 2,580 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food. While the Location Quotient of 0.49 suggests a slightly lower concentration of these roles compared to the national average, the presence of over 2,500 workers indicates a substantial and active job market for fast-food cooks. This workforce size, coupled with the jobs per 1,000 workers metric, points to a stable, albeit not hyper-concentrated, demand for these essential service positions.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$42,720

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA earns+37.2%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$20.5

Weekly

$822

Monthly

$3,560

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food typically correlates with experience and skill development. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned cooks with supervisory responsibilities or specialized culinary skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in salary distribution, though not detailed here, would signify clear career progression pathways from novice to senior roles within the fast-food industry.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$34,420$16.5
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$32,040$15.4
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$40,580$19.5
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$53,400$25.7
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$58,240$28

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$42,720

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$42,720

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $42,720 in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a fast-food cook's salary in this region is comparable to that of a cook in a nationally average cost-of-living area. While the nominal salary is higher than the national average, the equivalent cost of living suggests that the increased pay is largely offset by local expenses.

Job Market Context

2,580

Total Jobs

2.125

Per 1K Jobs

0.49

Location Quotient

Low Concentration

At 0.49x, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan area has a slightly lower concentration of Fast Food Cooks relative to the national average. This suggests that while the job market is active and employs a considerable number of individuals (2,580), it may not be as saturated with this specific profession as some other regions. This could imply a moderately competitive job market where demand is steady but not overwhelmingly high.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Salem, OR Cooks, Fast Food Salary$33,890↓ 21%44 mi
Longview-Kelso, WA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$35,770↓ 16%46 mi
Corvallis, OR Cooks, Fast Food Salary$34,760↓ 19%72 mi
Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$33,590↓ 21%72 mi

Comparing salaries near Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $42,720. This typically ranges from $34,420 for entry-level positions to $58,240 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 37.2% higher than the national median of $31,130.

Is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

Moderately lucrative, but with caveats.The average salary of $42,720 is notably higher than the national average, but this is balanced by a Cost of Living Index that is also at the national average. Therefore, while nominal earnings are higher, the real purchasing power is comparable to national averages.

Is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Salem, OR ($33,890) and Longview-Kelso, WA.

How does the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro salary compare to the national average for Fast Food Cooks?

The average annual salary for Fast Food Cooks in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro is $42,720, which is significantly higher than the national average of $31,130.

What is the concentration of Fast Food Cooks in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro compared to the rest of the US?

The Location Quotient for Fast Food Cooks in this area is 0.49, indicating that the concentration of these jobs is less than half of the national average.

Does the higher salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro mean a better standard of living?

Not necessarily. While the salary is higher, the Cost of Living Index is also at the national average (100), meaning the increased earnings are likely offset by higher local expenses.

How many Fast Food Cooks are employed in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area?

There are approximately 2,580 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro 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 2,580 employees in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area with a job density of 2.125 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA