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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Traverse City, MI

Fast Food Cooks in Traverse City, MI earn an average annual salary of $29,040. This figure is slightly below the national average of $31,130, indicating that local market dynamics and potentially a lower cost of labor contribute to this compensation. While the cost of living is on par with the national average, the salary reflects specific regional economic factors impacting this role.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $29,040 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $37,550.
  • Outlook: The job market for Fast Food Cooks in Traverse City, MI, shows a moderate level of concentration, with a Location Quotient of 0.73. This suggests that while the occupation is present, it is not disproportionately represented compared to the national average. The local workforce of 210 individuals in this role, coupled with 3.171 jobs per 1,000 workers, indicates a stable but not rapidly expanding demand for these services within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$29,040

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Traverse City, MI earns-6.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$14

Weekly

$558

Monthly

$2,420

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Traverse City, MI

For Fast Food Cooks in Traverse City, MI, career progression typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more experienced or supervisory roles. While specific salary data across experience levels isn't detailed, it's common for senior cooks to command higher wages, reflecting accumulated skills, speed, and potentially leadership responsibilities. The percentile gaps in salary distribution, though not explicitly shown here, would signify the earning potential as one advances through their career.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$21,730$10.4
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$21,780$10.5
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$29,030$14
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$36,300$17.5
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$37,550$18.1

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$29,040

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$29,040

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary for a Fast Food Cook in Traverse City, MI, stands at $29,040. When compared to the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average, this salary suggests that purchasing power is directly aligned with national norms. Therefore, the $29,040 salary offers a standard of living equivalent to the national average, without significant advantages or disadvantages related to the cost of essential goods and services.

Job Market Context

210

Total Jobs

3.171

Per 1K Jobs

0.73

Location Quotient

Below Average

Traverse City, MI has 0.73x 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.

With a Location Quotient of 0.73, the market for Fast Food Cooks in Traverse City, MI, is less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while there is a consistent need for these workers, the job market is not saturated, and opportunities may be moderately available. Employers may find a slightly less competitive landscape when seeking to fill these positions compared to areas with a higher concentration of fast-food establishments.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Traverse City, MI?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Traverse City, MI is $29,040. This typically ranges from $21,730 for entry-level positions to $37,550 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Traverse City, MI is 6.7% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Traverse City, MI a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, it is not particularly lucrative.The average salary of $29,040 is below the national average, and while the cost of living is at the national average, this means earning potential is slightly diminished relative to national benchmarks.

Is Traverse City, MI a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Traverse City, MI is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Fast Food Cooks in Traverse City, MI is $29,040, which is approximately $2,090 less than the national average of $31,130.

What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ)?

A Location Quotient of 0.73 indicates that Fast Food Cooks are less concentrated in Traverse City, MI, compared to the national average. This suggests a moderate presence of the occupation in the local job market.

How does the Cost of Living affect the salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Traverse City is at the national average. This means the $29,040 salary provides purchasing power equivalent to the national average, without the benefit of a lower cost of living to offset the lower nominal wage.

What is the total local workforce for this role?

There are approximately 210 Fast Food Cooks employed in Traverse City, MI, representing a specific segment of the local service industry workforce.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 210 employees in the Traverse City, MI area with a job density of 3.171 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 Traverse City, MI