Average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Ocala, FL
Cooks in institutional and cafeteria settings in Ocala, Florida, earn an average annual salary of $32,360. This figure is notably below the national average of $38,130 for the same role. Local economic factors and the specific demand within Ocala's job market likely contribute to this pay differential.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $32,360 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 35.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $37,840.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 330 individuals in this specific role, Ocala presents a moderately sized employment base for institutional and cafeteria cooks. The Location Quotient of 0.95 suggests that the concentration of these jobs in Ocala is very close to the national average, indicating a stable, albeit not exceptionally high, demand for these professionals within the local economy.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ocala, FL earns-15.1%below the national average.
$15.6
$622
$2,697
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Ocala's institutional and cafeteria cooks is not provided, it's reasonable to assume a general trend of salary growth mirroring national patterns over the past four years. Economic shifts and inflation typically drive modest increases in compensation for most roles, including those in food service, ensuring that wages generally keep pace with the cost of living and market demands.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Distribution in Ocala, FL
As with most professions, experience plays a significant role in the earning potential for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria. Entry-level positions typically command lower salaries, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills or supervisory responsibilities can expect to earn considerably more. The salary distribution, often visualized through percentiles, clearly shows this progression, with senior cooks occupying the higher earning brackets.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $27,690 | $13.3 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $24,270 | $11.7 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $31,010 | $14.9 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $40,450 | $19.4 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $37,840 | $18.2 |
Detailed Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$32,360
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$32,360
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $32,360 in Ocala, FL, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that, on average, the purchasing power of an institutional and cafeteria cook's salary in Ocala is equivalent to that of a cook in a national average cost-of-living area. Therefore, the nominal salary holds its value effectively within the local economic landscape.
Job Market Context
330
Total Jobs
2.757
Per 1K Jobs
0.95
Location Quotient
Ocala, FL has 0.95x 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 0.95 indicates that the Ocala, FL, market has a job concentration for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria that is nearly identical to the national average. This suggests a balanced job market where the number of available positions is proportionate to the number of workers in the field, implying neither a significant surplus nor a severe shortage of these professionals.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $34,230↑ 6% | 29 mi |
| Homosassa Springs, FL Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $34,640↑ 7% | 34 mi |
| Gainesville, FL Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $36,110↑ 12% | 37 mi |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $34,590↑ 7% | 60 mi |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $37,970↑ 17% | 64 mi |
Comparing salaries near Ocala, FL
Hiring Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Ocala, FL?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ocala, FL is $32,360. This typically ranges from $27,690 for entry-level positions to $37,840 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Ocala, FL is 15.1% lower than the national median of $38,130.
Is Ocala, FL a lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
No, Ocala, FL is not a particularly lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias compared to the national average.The average salary of $32,360 is below the national average of $38,130, although the cost of living is on par with the national average, meaning the salary's purchasing power is standard.
Is Ocala, FL a good place to live for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
The Cost of Living Index in Ocala, FL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Ocala, FL?
Some top paying nearby cities include Wildwood-The Villages, FL ($34,230) and Homosassa Springs, FL.
How does Ocala's job market for cooks compare nationally?
Ocala's job market for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is very close to the national average in terms of concentration, with a Location Quotient of 0.95, suggesting a similar proportion of these jobs relative to the overall workforce.
What is the total number of institutional and cafeteria cooks in Ocala?
There are approximately 330 individuals employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ocala, Florida.
Does experience increase salary for cooks in Ocala?
Yes, as with most roles, experience significantly impacts salary. Senior cooks with more skills and responsibilities will earn higher wages than entry-level positions.
How does the cost of living affect the Ocala cook salary?
The cost of living in Ocala is exactly at the national average (100). This means the $32,360 salary has standard purchasing power locally, neither significantly enhanced nor diminished by the cost of living.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 330 employees in the Ocala, FL area with a job density of 2.757 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Ocala, FL
- All Occupations Salary in Ocala, FL
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Ocala, FL
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Ocala, FL
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Ocala, FL
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Ocala, FL
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Ocala, FL
- Management Occupations Salary in Ocala, FL
- Construction and Extraction Occupations Salary in Ocala, FL
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Ocala, FL
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations Salary in Ocala, FL
- Browse All Jobs in Ocala, FL →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Ocala, FL