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Average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

Cooks in the Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $31,210. This figure falls below the national average of $38,130, suggesting that regional economic factors and potentially a lower demand for institutional and cafeteria cooks in this specific locale contribute to this pay differential. The cost of living being at the national average further highlights this disparity.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $31,210 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $38,290.
  • Outlook: With a total local workforce of 560 individuals in this role, the Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area presents a modest employment landscape for institutional and cafeteria cooks. The Location Quotient of 0.81 indicates a slightly lower concentration of these jobs compared to the national average, suggesting that while opportunities exist, the market is not exceptionally robust or saturated.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$31,210

The average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area earns-18.1%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$15

Weekly

$600

Monthly

$2,601

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Distribution in Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

Career progression for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions will likely fall at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills or supervisory responsibilities can command higher salaries. The percentile gaps in salary distribution, though not detailed here, would signify the earning potential as one moves from novice to senior cook.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,260$10.7
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$23,408$11.3
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$30,350$14.6
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$39,013$18.8
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$38,290$18.4

Detailed Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$31,210

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$31,210

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $31,210 in the Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal income is lower than the national average for this profession, the purchasing power of that income is equivalent to the national average, indicating that the lower salary is somewhat offset by the neutral cost of living.

Job Market Context

560

Total Jobs

2.358

Per 1K Jobs

0.81

Location Quotient

Below Average

Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area has 0.81x the national average concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.81 for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area suggests that this profession is slightly less concentrated here than the national average. This could imply a moderately competitive job market, where demand is present but not overwhelmingly high, offering a stable but not rapidly expanding employment environment for these culinary professionals.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Comparing salaries near Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

Hiring Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area is $31,210. This typically ranges from $22,260 for entry-level positions to $38,290 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area is 18.1% lower than the national median of $38,130.

Is Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area a lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

No, it is not considered a lucrative area based on salary.The average salary of $31,210 is significantly below the national average, even though the cost of living is at par with the national average.

Is Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area a good place to live for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

The Cost of Living Index in Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area?

Some top paying nearby cities include Greensboro-High Point, NC ($33,840) and Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC.

How does the local salary compare to the national average for Cooks?

Cooks in the Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area earn approximately $31,210 annually, which is notably less than the national average of $38,130.

What is the Cost of Living in Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area?

The Cost of Living Index for this region is 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning expenses for goods and services are neither higher nor lower than the typical US location.

How many Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria work in this area?

There are approximately 560 individuals employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area.

Is there high demand for Cooks in this region?

The Location Quotient of 0.81 suggests a slightly lower concentration of these jobs compared to the national average, indicating moderate demand rather than exceptionally high demand.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 560 employees in the Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area area with a job density of 2.358 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.