Average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Cooks in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area earn an impressive average annual salary of $52,270, significantly outpacing the national average of $38,130. This substantial difference is largely attributed to the high demand for skilled culinary professionals in a region known for its robust economy and thriving food service sector.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $52,270 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 21.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $63,750.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 1,880 individuals in this role, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area demonstrates a notable presence of institutional and cafeteria cooks. The Location Quotient of 0.57 suggests that while the concentration of these jobs is slightly below the national average, the absolute number of positions indicates a stable and ongoing demand within this metropolitan area.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns+37.1%above the national average.
$25.1
$1,005
$4,356
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this exact role in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is not provided, it's reasonable to assume a positive salary trend over the past four years, mirroring broader economic growth and inflation. The increasing cost of living and sustained demand for food services likely contribute to upward pressure on wages for cooks in the region.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Distribution in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Career progression for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills or supervisory responsibilities can command salaries in the higher percentiles, reflecting a clear path for career advancement and increased earning potential.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $44,390 | $21.3 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $39,203 | $18.8 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $48,940 | $23.5 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $65,338 | $31.4 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $63,750 | $30.6 |
Detailed Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$52,270
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$52,270
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $52,270 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA aligns perfectly with the national Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is considerably higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is effectively on par with the national average, indicating that the higher wages are balanced by the local cost of goods and services.
Job Market Context
1,880
Total Jobs
1.655
Per 1K Jobs
0.57
Location Quotient
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has 0.57x 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 0.57 indicates that the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area has a lower concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions relative to the national average. This suggests that while the job market is not oversaturated, there may be fewer specialized roles or a more competitive landscape for securing these positions compared to national trends.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $47,960↓ 8% | 26 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $51,710↓ 1% | 42 mi |
| Salinas, CA Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $47,490↓ 9% | 47 mi |
| Modesto, CA Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $45,180↓ 14% | 53 mi |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $42,860↓ 18% | 54 mi |
Comparing salaries near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Hiring Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $52,270. This typically ranges from $44,390 for entry-level positions to $63,750 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 37.1% higher than the national median of $38,130.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
Yes, with a caveat regarding cost of living.The average salary of $52,270 is significantly higher than the national average, offering strong nominal earnings. However, the local cost of living is also at the national average, meaning the increased salary's purchasing power is comparable to the national average.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a good place to live for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
The Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($47,960) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA.
How does the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA salary compare to the national average for Cooks?
Cooks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn an average of $52,270 annually, which is substantially higher than the national average of $38,130.
What is the job concentration for Cooks in this area?
The Location Quotient for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 0.57, indicating a lower concentration of these roles compared to the national average.
How many Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs are there per 1,000 workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
There are approximately 1.655 jobs per 1,000 workers for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area.
Does the high salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA mean a higher standard of living?
While the nominal salary is high, the Cost of Living Index is 100 (national average), meaning the increased earnings are offset by the local cost of living, resulting in a comparable standard of living to the national average.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,880 employees in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area with a job density of 1.655 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA