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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA

Cooks in the fast-food industry within the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA area earn an average annual salary of $34,860. This figure notably surpasses the national average of $31,130, indicating a localized premium for this role. Factors such as regional economic conditions and the specific demand within the Spokane metropolitan area likely contribute to this higher compensation.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $34,860 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 3.8% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $35,700.
  • Outlook: The Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA area employs approximately 730 individuals in fast-food cooking roles. With a Location Quotient of 0.66, the concentration of these jobs is slightly below the national average. This suggests a stable, though not exceptionally concentrated, job market for fast-food cooks, indicating consistent demand without overwhelming competition.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$34,860

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA earns+12.0%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.8

Weekly

$670

Monthly

$2,905

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA

Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA typically correlates with experience. Entry-level positions will likely fall at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and supervisory skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify opportunities for career advancement and increased earning potential within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$33,860$16.3
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,145$12.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$34,040$16.4
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$43,575$20.9
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$35,700$17.2

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$34,860

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$34,860

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $34,860 in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 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 equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial standing relative to general living expenses.

Job Market Context

730

Total Jobs

2.85

Per 1K Jobs

0.66

Location Quotient

Below Average

Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA has 0.66x 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 0.66 for Cooks, Fast Food in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA indicates that this profession is less concentrated here compared to the national average. This suggests that while there are job opportunities, the market is not saturated, potentially offering a balanced environment for job seekers and employers alike.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA is $34,860. This typically ranges from $33,860 for entry-level positions to $35,700 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA is 12.0% higher than the national median of $31,130.

Is Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

Yes, it offers a slightly above-average earning potential.Fast Food Cooks in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA earn approximately $3,730 more annually than the national average. Coupled with a Cost of Living Index at the national average, this makes the nominal salary hold its value effectively.

Is Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the Spokane-Spokane Valley salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA is $34,860, which is $3,730 higher than the national average of $31,130.

What is the concentration of Fast Food Cooks in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?

The Location Quotient for Fast Food Cooks in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA is 0.66, meaning the profession is less concentrated than the national average.

How does the Cost of Living in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA affect salary?

The Cost of Living Index in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA is 100, which is the national average. This means the $34,860 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.

What is the total workforce for Fast Food Cooks in this area?

There are approximately 730 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 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 730 employees in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA area with a job density of 2.85 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA