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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Wheeling, WV-OH

Cooks in fast-food establishments in the Wheeling, WV-OH area earn an average annual salary of $24,640. This figure is notably below the national average of $31,130, suggesting that local market dynamics, such as labor supply and demand, and potentially regional economic factors, play a significant role in compensation levels.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $24,640 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 12.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $27,860.
  • Outlook: The Wheeling, WV-OH area supports a substantial local workforce of 900 Cooks, Fast Food, indicating a consistent demand for these roles. With a Location Quotient of 3.53, the concentration of these jobs is significantly higher than the national average, pointing to a robust and specialized local job market for fast-food culinary professionals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$24,640

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Wheeling, WV-OH earns-20.8%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$11.9

Weekly

$474

Monthly

$2,053

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Wheeling, WV-OH

Career progression for Cooks, Fast Food typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more senior roles, often with increased responsibilities and supervisory duties. While specific salary percentiles are not detailed here, the typical salary range suggests that experienced cooks can command higher wages, with significant percentile gaps indicating opportunities for advancement and increased earning potential.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$21,710$10.4
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$18,480$8.9
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$23,210$11.2
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$30,800$14.8
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$27,860$13.4

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$24,640

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$24,640

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $24,640 in Wheeling, WV-OH aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of this income is equivalent to the national standard, making the effective financial standing comparable.

Job Market Context

900

Total Jobs

15.303

Per 1K Jobs

3.53

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Wheeling, WV-OH has 3.5x the national concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

The Location Quotient of 3.53 for Cooks, Fast Food in Wheeling, WV-OH signifies a highly concentrated job market. This indicates that the region has a disproportionately large number of these positions relative to the national average, suggesting a strong demand and a specialized labor pool for fast-food roles.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH Cooks, Fast Food Salary$25,170↑ 2%24 mi
Pittsburgh, PA Cooks, Fast Food Salary$25,710↑ 4%45 mi
Morgantown, WV Cooks, Fast Food Salary$24,620↓ 0%50 mi
Canton-Massillon, OH Cooks, Fast Food Salary$26,450↑ 7%62 mi

Comparing salaries near Wheeling, WV-OH

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Wheeling, WV-OH?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Wheeling, WV-OH is $24,640. This typically ranges from $21,710 for entry-level positions to $27,860 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Wheeling, WV-OH is 20.8% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Wheeling, WV-OH a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, but the cost of living is average.The average salary of $24,640 is significantly below the national average. However, the local cost of living is at the national average, meaning the lower salary has equivalent purchasing power.

Is Wheeling, WV-OH a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Wheeling, WV-OH is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Wheeling, WV-OH?

Some top paying nearby cities include Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH ($25,170) and Pittsburgh, PA.

How does the Wheeling, WV-OH salary for Fast Food Cooks compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Wheeling, WV-OH is $24,640, which is considerably lower than the national average of $31,130.

What is the job concentration for Fast Food Cooks in Wheeling, WV-OH?

The job concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 3.53, indicating that this profession is 3.53 times more prevalent in Wheeling, WV-OH than the national average.

How many Fast Food Cooks are employed in Wheeling, WV-OH?

There are approximately 900 Cooks, Fast Food employed in the Wheeling, WV-OH area, representing 15.303 jobs per 1,000 workers.

Does the cost of living affect the perceived value of a Fast Food Cook's salary in Wheeling, WV-OH?

No, the local cost of living is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the lower nominal salary of $24,640 has the same purchasing power as the national average salary.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 900 employees in the Wheeling, WV-OH area with a job density of 15.303 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 Wheeling, WV-OH