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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Fast Food Cooks in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $36,600. This figure is notably higher than the national average of $31,130, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially a higher cost of doing business contribute to this elevated compensation. The demand within this specific region plays a crucial role in shaping the pay scales for these essential food service professionals.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $36,600 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 37.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $45,880.
  • Outlook: The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria region supports a substantial workforce of 10,190 Fast Food Cooks. With a Location Quotient of 0.75, the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, indicating a stable but not overly saturated job market. The presence of 3.268 jobs per 1,000 workers suggests consistent demand for these positions within the local economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$36,600

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns+17.6%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$17.6

Weekly

$704

Monthly

$3,050

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Salary progression for Fast Food Cooks typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while cooks with several years of experience, specialized skills, or supervisory responsibilities can command significantly higher wages. The percentile gaps in salary distribution highlight clear opportunities for career advancement and increased earning potential within this field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$31,200$15
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$27,450$13.2
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$35,360$17
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$45,750$22
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$45,880$22.1

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$36,600

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$36,600

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $36,600 for Fast Food Cooks in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that, on average, the nominal salary provides purchasing power equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the higher wages are balanced by the cost of living in this metropolitan region.

Job Market Context

10,190

Total Jobs

3.268

Per 1K Jobs

0.75

Location Quotient

Below Average

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 0.75x 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 0.75 for Fast Food Cooks in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area indicates that this profession is slightly less concentrated here compared to the national average. This suggests that while the job market is active and supports a significant number of these roles, it may not be as intensely competitive as in areas with a higher concentration, potentially offering a more balanced environment for job seekers.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Maryland nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$33,630↓ 8%17 mi
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Cooks, Fast Food Salary$33,440↓ 9%35 mi
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Cooks, Fast Food Salary$27,970↓ 24%63 mi
Winchester, VA-WV Cooks, Fast Food Salary$28,350↓ 23%64 mi

Comparing salaries near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $36,600. This typically ranges from $31,200 for entry-level positions to $45,880 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 17.6% higher than the national median of $31,130.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

Yes, moderately so.The average salary of $36,600 is above the national average, and the cost of living is at the national average, making it a reasonably balanced market for Fast Food Cooks.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

Some top paying nearby cities include Maryland nonmetropolitan area ($33,630) and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Fast Food Cooks in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area is $36,600, which is $5,470 higher than the national average of $31,130.

What is the total number of Fast Food Cooks in this region?

There are approximately 10,190 Fast Food Cooks employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area.

Does the Cost of Living affect the Fast Food Cook salary?

The Cost of Living Index in this region is 100, which is the national average. This suggests that the higher-than-average salary is offset by the equivalent cost of living, maintaining a balanced purchasing power.

Is the job market for Fast Food Cooks growing in this area?

While specific growth rates aren't provided, the stable workforce size and a Location Quotient slightly below average suggest a consistent demand rather than rapid expansion or contraction.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 10,190 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 3.268 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV