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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA area, Cooks, Fast Food earn an average annual salary of $29,350. This figure is slightly below the national average of $31,130, a common occurrence in regions where the cost of living aligns closely with the national benchmark. Local economic factors and the specific demand within the fast-food sector contribute to this salary positioning.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $29,350 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 32.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $36,180.
  • Outlook: The Waterloo-Cedar Falls region supports a local workforce of 310 Cooks, Fast Food. With a Location Quotient of 0.82, the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, suggesting a stable but not exceptionally concentrated job market. The presence of 3.572 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates a consistent demand for fast-food culinary professionals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$29,350

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA earns-5.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$14.1

Weekly

$564

Monthly

$2,446

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while experienced cooks with supervisory or specialized skills can command higher salaries. The percentile gaps between entry-level and senior roles reflect opportunities for career advancement within the fast-food industry.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,090$10.6
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$22,013$10.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$28,230$13.6
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$36,688$17.6
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$36,180$17.4

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$29,350

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$29,350

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $29,350 in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, is directly comparable to the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a fast-food cook's salary in this area is effectively on par with the national average, offering no significant advantage or disadvantage in terms of affordability.

Job Market Context

310

Total Jobs

3.572

Per 1K Jobs

0.82

Location Quotient

Below Average

Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA has 0.82x 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 0.82, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls market has a slightly lower concentration of fast-food cooks compared to the national average. This suggests that while the demand exists, the job market may not be saturated, potentially offering stable employment opportunities without intense competition for entry-level positions.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Cedar Rapids, IA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$29,830↑ 2%50 mi
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$27,440↓ 7%55 mi
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$27,630↓ 6%55 mi
Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary$27,130↓ 8%55 mi

Comparing salaries near Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $29,350. This typically ranges from $22,090 for entry-level positions to $36,180 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is 5.7% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, not particularly lucrative.The average salary of $29,350 is below the national average, and while the cost of living is average, it doesn't offset the lower nominal pay.

Is Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Cedar Rapids, IA ($29,830) and Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area.

How does the Waterloo-Cedar Falls salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $29,350, which is slightly lower than the national average of $31,130.

What is the cost of living in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The cost of living in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is at the national average, with an index of 100.

How concentrated is the fast-food cook job market in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The job market for Cooks, Fast Food is slightly less concentrated than the national average, with a Location Quotient of 0.82.

What is the total number of fast-food cooks in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

There are approximately 310 Cooks, Fast Food employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 310 employees in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA area with a job density of 3.572 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA