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Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Wilmington, NC

Cooks, Fast Food professionals in Wilmington, NC, can expect an average annual salary of $25,980. This figure is notably below the national average of $31,130, indicating that local market dynamics and potentially lower operational costs in Wilmington contribute to this compensation difference.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $25,980 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 34.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $28,650.
  • Outlook: Wilmington, NC boasts a substantial local workforce of 4,310 Cooks, Fast Food. The exceptionally high Location Quotient of 5.32 signifies a significant concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting robust demand and a thriving job market for fast-food cooks in the area.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$25,980

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Wilmington, NC earns-16.5%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$12.5

Weekly

$500

Monthly

$2,165

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Wilmington, NC

Career progression for Cooks, Fast Food typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more experienced or supervisory roles. While exact salary percentiles are not detailed here, the gap between starting wages and those earned by senior cooks or shift leaders generally widens with experience, reflecting increased responsibility and skill acquisition.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,060$10.6
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$19,485$9.4
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$26,740$12.9
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$32,475$15.6
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$28,650$13.8

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$25,980

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$25,980

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $25,980 in Wilmington, NC, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of this income in Wilmington is equivalent to the national standard, suggesting a balanced economic environment for residents.

Job Market Context

4,310

Total Jobs

23.056

Per 1K Jobs

5.32

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Wilmington, NC has 5.3x 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.

Wilmington, NC, exhibits a highly concentrated market for Cooks, Fast Food, evidenced by a Location Quotient of 5.32. This indicates that the demand for these professionals is more than five times the national average relative to the overall workforce, making it a potentially competitive but abundant market for job seekers and employers alike.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

CitySalaryDist.
Jacksonville, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary$24,010↓ 8%46 mi
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Cooks, Fast Food Salary$24,660↓ 5%67 mi
Goldsboro, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary$23,880↓ 8%81 mi
Fayetteville, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary$24,750↓ 5%87 mi
Greenville, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary$25,020↓ 4%100 mi

Comparing salaries near Wilmington, NC

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Wilmington, NC?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Wilmington, NC is $25,980. This typically ranges from $22,060 for entry-level positions to $28,650 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Wilmington, NC is 16.5% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Wilmington, NC a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.While the Cost of Living is at the national average, the average salary of $25,980 is significantly lower than the national average of $31,130 for Cooks, Fast Food.

Is Wilmington, NC a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Wilmington, NC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Wilmington, NC?

Some top paying nearby cities include Jacksonville, NC ($24,010) and Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC.

How does the number of fast-food jobs compare to other areas?

Wilmington, NC has a significantly higher concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs, with a Location Quotient of 5.32, meaning the presence of these jobs is more than five times the national average relative to the workforce.

What is the total number of fast-food cooks in Wilmington, NC?

There are approximately 4,310 Cooks, Fast Food employed within Wilmington, NC.

How does Wilmington's cost of living affect the salary?

Wilmington's Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. This means the lower-than-average salary of $25,980 has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, despite being less than the national salary.

Are there many job opportunities for fast-food cooks in Wilmington?

Yes, the high number of jobs per 1,000 workers (23.056) and the substantial total workforce indicate a robust and active job market for Cooks, Fast Food in Wilmington.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 4,310 employees in the Wilmington, NC area with a job density of 23.056 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 Wilmington, NC