Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Cooks in the fast-food sector within the Waterbury-Shelton, CT area earn an average annual salary of $36,570. This figure notably surpasses the national average of $31,130, indicating a potentially stronger local demand or a different economic landscape influencing compensation for this role in Connecticut. The localized pay reflects the specific economic conditions and labor market dynamics present in the Waterbury-Shelton region.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $36,570 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $43,680.
- Outlook: The Waterbury-Shelton, CT area supports a local workforce of approximately 400 Cooks, Fast Food. With a Location Quotient of 0.58, the concentration of these roles is below the national average, suggesting that while the jobs exist, they are not disproportionately represented compared to other areas. The presence of 2.532 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates a steady, albeit not exceptionally high, demand for fast-food cooks in the region.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Waterbury-Shelton, CT earns+17.5%above the national average.
$17.6
$703
$3,048
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for the Waterbury-Shelton, CT fast-food cook market isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume a general trend of salary growth over the past four years, mirroring national patterns. Economic factors such as inflation, minimum wage adjustments, and increased operational costs for businesses likely contribute to a gradual upward movement in compensation for these essential roles.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Career progression for Cooks, Fast Food in Waterbury-Shelton, CT typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more experienced or supervisory roles. While exact salary percentiles are not detailed here, it's expected that individuals with more years of experience, specialized skills, or supervisory responsibilities would command higher salaries than the $36,570 average, reflecting a clear career ladder within the industry.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $32,640 | $15.7 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $27,428 | $13.2 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $35,080 | $16.9 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $45,713 | $22 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $43,680 | $21 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$36,570
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$36,570
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $36,570 for Cooks, Fast Food in Waterbury-Shelton, CT aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the nominal salary earned in this role offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the cost of essential goods and services in the area is neither significantly higher nor lower than the typical U.S. city.
Job Market Context
400
Total Jobs
2.532
Per 1K Jobs
0.58
Location Quotient
Waterbury-Shelton, CT has 0.58x 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 0.58 for Cooks, Fast Food in Waterbury-Shelton, CT indicates that this profession is less concentrated in the local area compared to the national average. This suggests that the job market for fast-food cooks is not overly saturated, and while demand exists, it's not a dominant sector relative to other employment opportunities within the region when compared nationally.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| New Haven, CT Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $34,820↓ 5% | 18 mi |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $34,690↓ 5% | 23 mi |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $38,470↑ 5% | 27 mi |
| Springfield, MA Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $35,220↓ 4% | 46 mi |
Comparing salaries near Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Waterbury-Shelton, CT is $36,570. This typically ranges from $32,640 for entry-level positions to $43,680 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Waterbury-Shelton, CT is 17.5% higher than the national median of $31,130.
Is Waterbury-Shelton, CT a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
Yes, moderately so.The average salary of $36,570 is above the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, offering decent purchasing power.
Is Waterbury-Shelton, CT a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Waterbury-Shelton, CT is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
Some top paying nearby cities include New Haven, CT ($34,820) and Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT.
How does the Waterbury-Shelton, CT salary compare to the national average for Fast Food Cooks?
The average annual salary for Fast Food Cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT is $36,570, which is higher than the national average of $31,130.
What is the Cost of Living in Waterbury-Shelton, CT relative to the national average?
The Cost of Living Index in Waterbury-Shelton, CT is 100, which is exactly the national average.
Is there high demand for Fast Food Cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
With 2.532 jobs per 1,000 workers and a Location Quotient of 0.58, the demand is present but not disproportionately high compared to the national average concentration.
What does the Location Quotient of 0.58 signify for Fast Food Cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
A Location Quotient below 1.0, like 0.58, means that the profession is less concentrated in Waterbury-Shelton, CT than the national average, suggesting a less saturated market relative to other job types.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 400 employees in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT area with a job density of 2.532 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Waterbury-Shelton, CT