Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
In Rocky Mount, NC, the average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food is approximately $24,030. This figure falls notably below the national average of $31,130. Local economic factors and market demand specific to Rocky Mount significantly influence this pay scale, creating a distinct compensation landscape for these essential food service professionals.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $24,030 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 27.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $27,580.
- Outlook: The job market for Cooks, Fast Food in Rocky Mount, NC, appears robust, evidenced by a substantial local workforce of 1,460 individuals. The high Location Quotient of 6.19 suggests a significantly higher concentration of these jobs compared to the national average, indicating strong local demand and a well-established presence of fast-food establishments within the community.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Rocky Mount, NC earns-22.8%below the national average.
$11.6
$462
$2,003
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Rocky Mount's fast-food cook salaries over the past four years is not provided, it's reasonable to assume a general upward trend mirroring national patterns. Typically, wages in the food service industry experience gradual growth driven by inflation, minimum wage adjustments, and evolving labor market dynamics, suggesting that salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in Rocky Mount have likely seen incremental increases over time.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Rocky Mount, NC
For Cooks, Fast Food in Rocky Mount, NC, career progression typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more experienced or supervisory roles. While specific salary percentiles are not detailed here, the gap between the lowest and highest earners generally widens with experience, signifying increased responsibility, skill acquisition, and a higher earning potential for senior cooks.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $21,380 | $10.3 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $18,023 | $8.7 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $23,170 | $11.1 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $30,038 | $14.4 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $27,580 | $13.3 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$24,030
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$24,030
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $24,030 for Cooks, Fast Food in Rocky Mount, NC, is directly comparable to the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which represents the national average. This means that while the salary is lower than the national average, the cost of essential goods and services in Rocky Mount is also at the national average, suggesting that the purchasing power of this salary is aligned with the typical American standard.
Job Market Context
1,460
Total Jobs
26.84
Per 1K Jobs
6.19
Location Quotient
Rocky Mount, NC has 6.2x the national concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a Location Quotient of 6.19, Rocky Mount, NC, exhibits a highly concentrated market for Cooks, Fast Food. This significantly elevated quotient indicates that these roles are disproportionately more common in Rocky Mount than in the average U.S. location. Such a concentration suggests a strong demand for fast-food services and a potentially competitive environment for both employers seeking staff and individuals seeking employment in this sector.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,020↑ 4% | 35 mi |
| Goldsboro, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $23,880↓ 1% | 42 mi |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $26,990↑ 12% | 48 mi |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $28,750↑ 20% | 61 mi |
| Jacksonville, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $24,010↓ 0% | 89 mi |
Comparing salaries near Rocky Mount, NC
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Rocky Mount, NC?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Rocky Mount, NC is $24,030. This typically ranges from $21,380 for entry-level positions to $27,580 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Rocky Mount, NC is 22.8% lower than the national median of $31,130.
Is Rocky Mount, NC a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to national averages.While the cost of living is at the national average, the average salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Rocky Mount is significantly lower than the national average. The high concentration of jobs indicates demand, but not necessarily high compensation.
Is Rocky Mount, NC a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Rocky Mount, NC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Rocky Mount, NC?
Some top paying nearby cities include Greenville, NC ($25,020) and Goldsboro, NC.
How does the number of fast-food jobs per 1,000 workers compare nationally?
Rocky Mount, NC has 26.84 jobs per 1,000 workers for Cooks, Fast Food, which is considerably higher than the national average, reflecting a strong local presence of this industry.
What is the total number of Cooks, Fast Food in Rocky Mount, NC?
There are approximately 1,460 Cooks, Fast Food employed in Rocky Mount, NC, representing a significant portion of the local workforce dedicated to this role.
How does the salary compare to the national average for this role?
The average annual salary of $24,030 in Rocky Mount is substantially lower than the national average of $31,130 for Cooks, Fast Food.
What does a Location Quotient of 6.19 mean for this job?
A Location Quotient of 6.19 signifies that the concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs in Rocky Mount is over six times higher than the national average, indicating a very strong local demand for these positions.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,460 employees in the Rocky Mount, NC area with a job density of 26.84 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 Rocky Mount, NC
- All Occupations Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
- Production Occupations Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
- Management Occupations Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Rocky Mount, NC
- Browse All Jobs in Rocky Mount, NC →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Rocky Mount, NC