Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
Cooks in fast-food establishments in Winston-Salem, NC, earn an average annual salary of $26,720. This figure falls below the national average of $31,130, indicating a localized pay structure. Factors such as regional economic conditions and the specific demand within the Winston-Salem market contribute to this disparity.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $26,720 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 33.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $31,080.
- Outlook: Winston-Salem boasts a substantial local workforce of 6,370 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food. The exceptionally high Location Quotient of 5.38 signifies a significantly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting robust local demand and a well-established presence of fast-food employment opportunities within the area.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Winston-Salem, NC earns-14.2%below the national average.
$12.9
$514
$2,227
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this role in Winston-Salem is not provided, it is reasonable to assume a general trend of salary growth over the past four years, mirroring national patterns. Economic shifts and inflation typically necessitate upward adjustments in wages to maintain purchasing power, suggesting that the $26,720 average may represent an increase from previous years.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Winston-Salem, NC
Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food in Winston-Salem typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions will likely fall at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks or those with specialized skills and supervisory responsibilities can command higher salaries. The percentile distribution of earnings, though not detailed here, would illustrate these earning potentials, with higher percentiles representing more experienced and higher-paid individuals.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $21,820 | $10.5 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $20,040 | $9.6 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $27,680 | $13.3 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $33,400 | $16.1 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $31,080 | $14.9 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$26,720
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$26,720
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $26,720 in Winston-Salem 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 is comparable to the national standard, as the cost of goods and services locally is not elevated.
Job Market Context
6,370
Total Jobs
23.315
Per 1K Jobs
5.38
Location Quotient
Winston-Salem, NC has 5.4x 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.
With a Location Quotient of 5.38, Winston-Salem exhibits a highly concentrated market for Cooks, Fast Food relative to the rest of the nation. This indicates that the job market is not only competitive but also abundant with opportunities for individuals in this profession, suggesting a strong demand that outpaces the national average significantly.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Greensboro-High Point, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,900↓ 3% | 23 mi |
| Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $24,520↓ 8% | 41 mi |
| Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $26,630↓ 0% | 41 mi |
| Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,110↓ 6% | 41 mi |
| Burlington, NC Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $25,890↓ 3% | 43 mi |
Comparing salaries near Winston-Salem, NC
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Winston-Salem, NC is $26,720. This typically ranges from $21,820 for entry-level positions to $31,080 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Winston-Salem, NC is 14.2% lower than the national median of $31,130.
Is Winston-Salem, NC a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.While the cost of living is average, the average salary of $26,720 is notably lower than the national average of $31,130. The high concentration of jobs suggests demand, but not necessarily higher pay.
Is Winston-Salem, NC a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Winston-Salem, NC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Winston-Salem, NC?
Some top paying nearby cities include Greensboro-High Point, NC ($25,900) and Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area.
How does the number of jobs per 1,000 workers compare nationally?
Winston-Salem has 23.315 jobs per 1,000 workers for Cooks, Fast Food, which is significantly higher than the national average due to the high Location Quotient.
What does a Location Quotient of 5.38 mean for fast food cooks?
A Location Quotient of 5.38 means that fast food cooks are over five times more concentrated in Winston-Salem than the national average, indicating a very strong local presence and demand for this occupation.
Does experience impact fast food cook salaries in Winston-Salem?
Yes, like most roles, experience is expected to increase earning potential for fast food cooks in Winston-Salem, moving individuals from entry-level wages to potentially higher-paying senior or supervisory positions.
How does Winston-Salem's cost of living affect the salary?
Winston-Salem's cost of living is at the national average (100), meaning the $26,720 salary has average purchasing power locally, despite being below the national average salary figure.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 6,370 employees in the Winston-Salem, NC area with a job density of 23.315 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Cooks, Fast Food Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Winston-Salem, NC
- All Occupations Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
- Production Occupations Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
- Management Occupations Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
- Browse All Jobs in Winston-Salem, NC →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Winston-Salem, NC