SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL

Cooks in the institution and cafeteria sector in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, earn an average annual salary of $35,350. This figure is slightly below the national average of $38,130, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially a lower cost of living contribute to this compensation level. While the nominal pay is lower, understanding the local economic context is crucial for evaluating its true value.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $35,350 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 20.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $41,770.
  • Outlook: The job market for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, appears stable with a local workforce of 460 individuals. The Location Quotient of 0.66 indicates a slightly lower concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting a moderate but not exceptionally high demand relative to the general workforce. The presence of nearly 2 jobs per 1,000 workers points to a consistent need for these professionals within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$35,350

The average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL earns-7.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$17

Weekly

$680

Monthly

$2,946

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Distribution in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL

Salary progression for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks or those with specialized culinary skills and supervisory responsibilities can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in salary distribution reflect these differences, with experienced professionals occupying the higher percentiles due to their accumulated expertise and value to employers.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$28,870$13.9
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,513$12.7
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$35,120$16.9
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$44,188$21.2
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$41,770$20.1

Detailed Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$35,350

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$35,350

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $35,350 in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of the salary in this region is comparable to the national average. Therefore, a cook earning this salary would experience a similar standard of living as a cook earning the national average salary in a region with a cost of living at 100.

Job Market Context

460

Total Jobs

1.905

Per 1K Jobs

0.66

Location Quotient

Below Average

Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL has 0.66x 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.

With a Location Quotient of 0.66, the job market for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, is less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while there is a steady demand for these roles, the field is not as saturated as in other parts of the country. This could present opportunities for skilled individuals, but also indicates that the overall number of available positions might be proportionally lower.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL is $35,350. This typically ranges from $28,870 for entry-level positions to $41,770 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL is 7.3% lower than the national median of $38,130.

Is Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL a lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

No, it is not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $35,350 is below the national average of $38,130, and the cost of living is at the national average, indicating less purchasing power for the salary earned.

Is Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL a good place to live for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

The Cost of Living Index in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL?

Some top paying nearby cities include Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL ($37,870) and Port St. Lucie, FL.

How does the local workforce size affect job prospects for Cooks?

A local workforce of 460 indicates a moderate-sized pool of professionals in this field within Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, suggesting a stable but not rapidly expanding job market.

What does a Location Quotient of 0.66 mean for Cooks in this area?

A Location Quotient of 0.66 signifies that Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are less concentrated in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, than the national average, implying fewer job opportunities relative to the overall employment landscape.

How does the Cost of Living Index of 100 impact the salary?

A Cost of Living Index of 100 means that the expenses for goods and services in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, are exactly at the national average, so the $35,350 salary has average purchasing power.

Are there many Cook jobs per 1,000 workers in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL?

With 1.905 jobs per 1,000 workers, there is a consistent, albeit modest, presence of Cook positions within the local employment structure.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 460 employees in the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL area with a job density of 1.905 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.