SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Yakima, WA

Cooks in fast-food establishments in Yakima, WA, earn an average annual salary of $35,530. This figure is notably higher than the national average of $31,130, suggesting that local economic factors and demand in Yakima contribute to a more favorable compensation landscape for these roles. The specific needs of the Yakima market appear to translate into higher pay for fast-food cooks.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $35,530 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 14.5% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $37,970.
  • Outlook: Yakima, WA, supports a local workforce of 430 individuals in fast-food cook positions. With a Location Quotient of 1.02, the concentration of these jobs in Yakima is slightly above the national average, indicating a stable and perhaps growing demand for fast-food cooks within the region. This suggests a robust job market for this profession in Yakima.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$35,530

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Yakima, WA earns+14.1%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$17.1

Weekly

$683

Monthly

$2,961

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Yakima, WA

Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food in Yakima, WA, typically correlates with experience. Entry-level positions will likely fall at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks or those with specialized skills or supervisory responsibilities can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in salary distribution would signify clear career progression pathways within the fast-food sector.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$33,860$16.3
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,648$12.8
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$34,790$16.7
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$44,413$21.4
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$37,970$18.3

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$35,530

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$35,530

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $35,530 in Yakima, WA, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the nominal salary earned by a fast-food cook in Yakima has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, offering a balanced financial standing relative to the cost of goods and services in the area.

Job Market Context

430

Total Jobs

4.409

Per 1K Jobs

1.02

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.02, Yakima, WA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Fast Food roles compared to the national norm.

With a Location Quotient of 1.02, the job market for Cooks, Fast Food in Yakima, WA, is very close to the national average in terms of concentration. This suggests a competitive yet stable environment where the number of jobs is well-aligned with the national distribution, indicating neither an oversupply nor a significant shortage of labor in this specific role.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food

Comparing salaries near Yakima, WA

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Yakima, WA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Yakima, WA is $35,530. This typically ranges from $33,860 for entry-level positions to $37,970 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Yakima, WA is 14.1% higher than the national median of $31,130.

Is Yakima, WA a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

Yes, it offers slightly above-average compensation.Cooks in Yakima, WA earn an average of $35,530 annually, exceeding the national average, and the local cost of living is at the national average, making it a reasonably lucrative location.

Is Yakima, WA a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

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

Where are the highest paying cities near Yakima, WA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA ($36,970) and Kennewick-Richland, WA.

How does Yakima's fast-food cook salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Fast Food Cooks in Yakima, WA, is $35,530, which is $4,400 higher than the national average of $31,130.

What is the concentration of fast-food cook jobs in Yakima, WA?

Yakima, WA has a Location Quotient of 1.02 for Fast Food Cooks, indicating that the concentration of these jobs is slightly higher than the national average.

How does the cost of living in Yakima affect the salary of a fast-food cook?

Yakima's Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. This means the $35,530 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it a fair compensation relative to local expenses.

What is the total number of fast-food cooks employed in Yakima, WA?

There are approximately 430 individuals employed as Cooks, Fast Food in the Yakima, WA workforce.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 430 employees in the Yakima, WA area with a job density of 4.409 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.