SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA

Cooks in institutional and cafeteria settings in Cedar Rapids, IA, earn an average annual salary of $34,610. This figure is slightly below the national average of $38,130, a common occurrence in areas where the cost of living aligns closely with the national benchmark, influencing local wage scales.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $34,610 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 17.2% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $40,740.
  • Outlook: The job market for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Cedar Rapids, IA, shows a notable concentration, with a Location Quotient of 2.01, indicating a demand for these professionals that is more than double the national average. Supported by a local workforce of 810 individuals in this role, the market suggests a robust and stable environment for culinary professionals in institutional settings.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$34,610

The average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Cedar Rapids, IA earns-9.2%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.6

Weekly

$666

Monthly

$2,884

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Distribution in Cedar Rapids, IA

Salary progression for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Cedar Rapids, IA, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries, often reflected in the upper percentiles of the salary distribution.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$27,620$13.3
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$25,958$12.5
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$35,620$17.1
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$43,263$20.8
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$40,740$19.6

Detailed Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$34,610

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$34,610

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average salary of $34,610 in Cedar Rapids, IA, is balanced by a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average. This means that the purchasing power of the salary is on par with the national standard, offering a stable financial foundation for residents.

Job Market Context

810

Total Jobs

5.838

Per 1K Jobs

2.01

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Cedar Rapids, IA has 2.0x the national concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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 2.01, Cedar Rapids, IA, exhibits a significantly higher concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions compared to the national average. This suggests a strong local demand and a potentially competitive market for employers seeking talent, while also offering ample opportunities for job seekers in this specialized field.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Cedar Rapids, IA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Cedar Rapids, IA is $34,610. This typically ranges from $27,620 for entry-level positions to $40,740 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Cedar Rapids, IA is 9.2% lower than the national median of $38,130.

Is Cedar Rapids, IA a lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.While the cost of living is average, the nominal salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is below the national average, indicating less lucrative earning potential in this specific role.

Is Cedar Rapids, IA a good place to live for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

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

Where are the highest paying cities near Cedar Rapids, IA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Iowa City, IA ($34,750) and Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA.

How does the Cedar Rapids cook salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Cedar Rapids, IA, is $34,610, which is approximately $3,520 less than the national average of $38,130.

What does the Location Quotient of 2.01 mean for cooks in Cedar Rapids?

A Location Quotient of 2.01 signifies that Cedar Rapids has more than twice the concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs per worker compared to the national average, indicating a strong local demand for these roles.

Does the cost of living in Cedar Rapids affect the cook salary?

The Cost of Living Index in Cedar Rapids is 100, matching the national average. This means the $34,610 salary has average purchasing power locally, neither significantly boosted nor diminished by cost of living factors.

How many cooks are employed in Cedar Rapids?

There are approximately 810 individuals employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Cedar Rapids, IA, contributing to the local workforce in this sector.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 810 employees in the Cedar Rapids, IA area with a job density of 5.838 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.