Average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
Cooks in institutional and cafeteria settings within the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV area earn an average annual salary of $34,550. This figure falls below the national average of $38,130, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially lower operational costs contribute to this compensation difference. Understanding these local pay scales is crucial for both employers and job seekers in this region.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $34,550 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 8.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $45,490.
- Outlook: The Hagerstown-Martinsburg area supports a local workforce of 440 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria professionals. With a Location Quotient of 1.42, this occupation is more concentrated here than the national average, indicating a potentially robust demand or a specialized local industry that relies heavily on these roles. The presence of 4.134 jobs per 1,000 workers further underscores the significance of this profession within the regional labor market.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV earns-9.4%below the national average.
$16.6
$664
$2,879
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this role in Hagerstown-Martinsburg is not provided, it is reasonable to assume a general trend of salary growth over the past four years, mirroring national patterns. Economic factors, inflation, and evolving labor demands typically drive incremental increases in compensation for skilled positions like institutional cooks, aiming to keep pace with the cost of living and attract qualified talent.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Distribution in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
Salary progression for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria roles typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks with extensive experience, specialized skills, or supervisory responsibilities can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings within this dataset would likely reflect these distinctions, with experienced professionals occupying the higher salary brackets.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $27,120 | $13 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $25,913 | $12.5 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $31,610 | $15.2 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $43,188 | $20.8 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $45,490 | $21.9 |
Detailed Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$34,550
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$34,550
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $34,550 in Hagerstown-Martinsburg aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that, on average, the purchasing power of a cook's salary in this region is equivalent to the national standard. While the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the cost of living parity suggests that the take-home pay may offer comparable living standards to other areas.
Job Market Context
440
Total Jobs
4.134
Per 1K Jobs
1.42
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.42, Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria roles compared to the national norm.
A Location Quotient of 1.42 signifies that the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metropolitan area has a higher concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs relative to the national average. This suggests that the job market in this region is more specialized or has a greater demand for these roles compared to the typical U.S. metropolitan area, potentially offering more opportunities for those in this profession.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg, PA Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $35,460↑ 3% | 20 mi |
| Gettysburg, PA Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $35,850↑ 4% | 29 mi |
| Winchester, VA-WV Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $35,730↑ 3% | 40 mi |
| York-Hanover, PA Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $36,640↑ 6% | 57 mi |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $36,550↑ 6% | 62 mi |
Comparing salaries near Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
Hiring Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV is $34,550. This typically ranges from $27,120 for entry-level positions to $45,490 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV is 9.4% lower than the national median of $38,130.
Is Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV a lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.While the cost of living is on par with the national average, the average salary of $34,550 is notably lower than the national average of $38,130 for this role.
Is Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV a good place to live for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
The Cost of Living Index in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV?
Some top paying nearby cities include Chambersburg, PA ($35,460) and Gettysburg, PA.
How does the local workforce size affect job prospects for cooks?
A local workforce of 440 indicates a substantial number of professionals in this field, suggesting a stable job market but also potential competition for open positions.
What does a Location Quotient of 1.42 mean for cooks in Hagerstown-Martinsburg?
A Location Quotient above 1.0, like 1.42, means this occupation is more concentrated in Hagerstown-Martinsburg than the national average, implying a potentially higher demand or a specialized industry presence.
How does the cost of living in Hagerstown-Martinsburg compare to the national average?
The Cost of Living Index is 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning the general cost of goods and services is neither significantly higher nor lower than the typical U.S. location.
Are there more or fewer cook jobs per capita in Hagerstown-Martinsburg compared to the nation?
With 4.134 jobs per 1,000 workers, Hagerstown-Martinsburg has a slightly higher density of cook positions compared to the national average, indicating a relatively strong presence of these jobs within the local economy.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 440 employees in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV area with a job density of 4.134 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV