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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Amarillo, TX

Cooks in Amarillo, TX, earn an average annual salary of $31,010. This figure is notably below the national average of $37,700, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially lower operational costs in Amarillo influence compensation for this role. While the nominal pay is lower, understanding the local economic landscape is crucial for evaluating this salary.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $31,010 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 17.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $36,880.
  • Outlook: Amarillo, TX, hosts a local workforce of 1,250 Cooks, Restaurant professionals. With a Location Quotient of 1.09, the concentration of these jobs in Amarillo is slightly higher than the national average, indicating a stable, albeit not exceptionally booming, demand for culinary talent within the city. The presence of over a thousand professionals suggests a mature job market with consistent opportunities.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$31,010

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Amarillo, TX earns-17.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$14.9

Weekly

$596

Monthly

$2,584

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Amarillo, TX

Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant professionals in Amarillo, TX, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions will likely fall at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with extensive culinary expertise and management skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps between junior and senior roles reflect the value placed on experience, specialization, and leadership within the kitchen hierarchy.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,150$10.6
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$23,258$11.2
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$29,880$14.4
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$38,763$18.6
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$36,880$17.7

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$31,010

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$31,010

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $31,010 for Cooks in Amarillo, TX, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that, on average, the purchasing power of a cook's salary in Amarillo is equivalent to the national average. While the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the cost of living does not diminish its relative value within the local economy.

Job Market Context

1,250

Total Jobs

10.236

Per 1K Jobs

1.09

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.09, Amarillo, TX has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant roles compared to the national norm.

Amarillo, TX, exhibits a Location Quotient of 1.09 for Cooks, Restaurant professionals, signifying a slightly higher concentration of these jobs compared to the national average. This suggests that the job market for cooks in Amarillo is reasonably competitive and offers a stable number of opportunities relative to the size of the workforce. While not a major hub, the demand is consistent with national trends, indicating a healthy local culinary sector.

Nearby Job Markets

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Amarillo, TX?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Amarillo, TX is $31,010. This typically ranges from $22,150 for entry-level positions to $36,880 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Amarillo, TX is 17.7% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Amarillo, TX a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, Amarillo, TX is not a particularly lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants based on average earnings.The average salary of $31,010 is significantly below the national average of $37,700. However, the cost of living is also at the national average, meaning the lower salary's purchasing power is maintained locally.

Is Amarillo, TX a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

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

How does Amarillo's cook salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks in Amarillo, TX, is $31,010, which is approximately $6,690 less than the national average of $37,700.

What is the total number of Cooks employed in Amarillo, TX?

There are approximately 1,250 Cooks employed in Amarillo, TX, making up a significant portion of the local service industry workforce.

Does the cost of living in Amarillo affect the cook's salary?

The cost of living in Amarillo is at the national average (100). This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, its purchasing power locally is equivalent to the national average.

Is the job market for cooks strong in Amarillo, TX?

With a Location Quotient of 1.09, the concentration of restaurant cook jobs in Amarillo is slightly above the national average, indicating a stable and consistent demand for these professionals within the local market.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,250 employees in the Amarillo, TX area with a job density of 10.236 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Amarillo, TX