SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Ponce, PR

Cooks in Ponce, Puerto Rico earn an average annual salary of $27,130, which is notably below the national average of $38,130. This disparity is often influenced by regional economic factors, the cost of doing business, and the specific demand within the local institutional and cafeteria sectors.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $27,130 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 6.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $38,660.
  • Outlook: The job market for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ponce, PR, appears robust, evidenced by a total local workforce of 700 individuals. The high Location Quotient of 3.76 suggests a significantly higher concentration of these roles in Ponce compared to the national average, indicating strong local demand and a specialized job pool.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$27,130

The average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ponce, PR earns-28.8%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$13

Weekly

$522

Monthly

$2,261

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Distribution in Ponce, PR

Career progression for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks with extensive experience and supervisory skills can command higher salaries, often reflected in the upper percentiles of the salary distribution.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$19,760$9.5
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$20,348$9.8
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$27,500$13.2
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$33,913$16.3
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$38,660$18.6

Detailed Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$27,130

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$27,130

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $27,130 in Ponce, PR, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of this income within Ponce is equivalent to the national average, suggesting a balanced economic environment for residents.

Job Market Context

700

Total Jobs

10.941

Per 1K Jobs

3.76

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Ponce, PR has 3.8x the national concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

With a Location Quotient of 3.76, Ponce, PR, exhibits a significantly higher concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs than the national average. This indicates a specialized and potentially competitive market where demand for these culinary professionals is considerably elevated compared to other regions.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

CitySalaryDist.
Puerto Rico nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary$28,460↑ 5%15 mi
Arecibo, PR Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary$25,740↓ 5%31 mi
Guayama, PR Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary$25,230↓ 7%34 mi
Mayaguez, PR Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary$25,610↓ 6%34 mi
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary$26,440↓ 3%45 mi

Comparing salaries near Ponce, PR

Hiring Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Ponce, PR?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ponce, PR is $27,130. This typically ranges from $19,760 for entry-level positions to $38,660 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Ponce, PR is 28.8% lower than the national median of $38,130.

Is Ponce, PR a lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

No, not compared to the national average.While the cost of living is on par with the national average, the average salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ponce is substantially lower than the national benchmark.

Is Ponce, PR a good place to live for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?

The Cost of Living Index in Ponce, PR is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Ponce, PR?

Some top paying nearby cities include Puerto Rico nonmetropolitan area ($28,460) and Arecibo, PR.

How many Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are employed in Ponce, PR?

There are approximately 700 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria employed in Ponce, PR, representing a significant portion of the local workforce in this sector.

What does a Location Quotient of 3.76 mean for this role in Ponce?

A Location Quotient of 3.76 signifies that Ponce has nearly four times the national average concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs, indicating a strong local specialization and demand.

Does experience impact salary for Cooks in Ponce?

Yes, like most roles, experience is a key factor in salary progression for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ponce, with senior roles commanding higher compensation.

How does Ponce's cost of living compare nationally?

Ponce, PR, has a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning the general cost of goods and services is comparable to the rest of the United States.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 700 employees in the Ponce, PR area with a job density of 10.941 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Ponce, PR