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Average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Cooks in institutional and cafeteria settings within the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $35,190. This figure is slightly below the national average of $38,130, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially a higher concentration of entry-level positions may influence compensation. The cost of living in Charlotte is on par with the national average, making this salary a key point of consideration for professionals in the field.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $35,190 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 30.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $44,560.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 3,130 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia area demonstrates a significant presence in this sector. The Location Quotient of 0.8 indicates that this occupation is slightly less concentrated here compared to the national average, suggesting a stable but not exceptionally high demand. The number of jobs per 1,000 workers, at 2.332, further supports the notion of a consistent, albeit not rapidly expanding, job market for these roles.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$35,190

The average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC earns-7.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.9

Weekly

$677

Monthly

$2,933

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Distribution in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Salary progression for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, is closely tied to experience and skill development. Entry-level positions typically command salaries at the lower end of the spectrum, while seasoned professionals with specialized culinary skills or supervisory experience can expect to earn significantly more. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify career advancement opportunities, moving from basic food preparation roles to more complex and responsible positions.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$23,950$11.5
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,393$12.7
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$35,770$17.2
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$43,988$21.1
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$44,560$21.4

Detailed Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$35,190

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$35,190

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $35,190 for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that, on average, the purchasing power of this salary within the Charlotte area is comparable to the national average. While not offering a significant advantage, it suggests that the salary is adequate for maintaining a standard of living consistent with the rest of the country.

Job Market Context

3,130

Total Jobs

2.332

Per 1K Jobs

0.8

Location Quotient

Below Average

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC has 0.80x 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 0.8 for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, indicates that this occupation is present at a slightly lower concentration than the national average. This suggests that while the job market is not oversaturated, there may be a moderate level of competition for available positions. Employers may find a steady pool of candidates, but highly skilled or experienced individuals could still command competitive compensation.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

CitySalaryDist.
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary$33,270↓ 5%45 mi
Spartanburg, SC Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary$31,490↓ 11%64 mi
Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary$31,140↓ 12%65 mi
Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary$32,580↓ 7%65 mi
Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary$31,210↓ 11%65 mi

Comparing salaries near Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Hiring Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $35,190. This typically ranges from $23,950 for entry-level positions to $44,560 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is 7.7% lower than the national median of $38,130.

Is Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC a lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

No, it is not exceptionally lucrative.The average salary is below the national average, and while the cost of living is average, there isn't a significant financial advantage for this role in this location.

Is Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC a good place to live for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

The Cost of Living Index in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?

Some top paying nearby cities include Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC ($33,270) and Spartanburg, SC.

How does the cost of living affect the salary for Cooks in Charlotte?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the average salary of $35,190 in Charlotte has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, meaning it neither significantly boosts nor hinders the financial well-being of cooks.

What does a Location Quotient of 0.8 mean for Cooks in Charlotte?

A Location Quotient of 0.8 suggests that the concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs in Charlotte is slightly lower than the national average, indicating a stable but not overly competitive job market.

How many Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs are there in Charlotte?

There are approximately 3,130 individuals employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria within the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan area.

Can experience increase a Cook's salary in Charlotte?

Yes, experience is a key factor in salary growth for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, with senior roles and specialized skills commanding higher pay than entry-level positions.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 3,130 employees in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC area with a job density of 2.332 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC