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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

Yes, Trenton-Princeton, NJ is a highly lucrative market for Cooks, Fast Foods. With an average annual salary of $36,480, professionals here earn significantly more than the national norm.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $36,480 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $42,940.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Cooks, Fast Foods is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 190 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Trenton-Princeton, NJ economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$36,480

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Trenton-Princeton, NJ earns+17.2%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$17.5

Weekly

$702

Monthly

$3,040

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

The earning potential for Cooks, Fast Foods in Trenton-Princeton, NJ varies significantly by experience level. The salary gap is relatively narrow, suggesting consistent and predictable earnings from entry-level to senior positions. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $31,470, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $42,940.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$31,470$15.1
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$27,360$13.2
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$34,700$16.7
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$45,600$21.9
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$42,940$20.6

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$36,480

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$36,480

Adjusted for COL (100)

In Trenton-Princeton, NJ, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $36,480 to $36,480.

Job Market Context

190

Total Jobs

0.78

Per 1K Jobs

0.18

Location Quotient

Low Concentration

At 0.18x, Trenton-Princeton, NJ has a notably lower concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.

190 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in Trenton-Princeton, NJ.

Only 0.78 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Cooks, Fast Food roles — this is a niche profession in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

Comparing salaries near Trenton-Princeton, NJ

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $36,480. This typically ranges from $31,470 for entry-level positions to $42,940 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is 17.2% higher than the national median of $31,130.

Is Trenton-Princeton, NJ a good place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

Yes, Trenton-Princeton, NJ is financially attractive for Cooks, Fast Foods. The average salary of $36,480 exceeds the national average. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is Trenton-Princeton, NJ a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

Some top paying nearby cities include Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($31,530) and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 190 employees in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ area with a job density of 0.78 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.