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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Beckley, WV

Cooks in Beckley, West Virginia, earn an average annual salary of $27,940. This figure is notably below the national average of $37,700, suggesting that local economic factors and demand within the Beckley area play a significant role in compensation for this profession.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $27,940 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 21.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $34,890.
  • Outlook: The local job market for Cooks in Beckley, WV, appears moderately robust, with a total workforce of 480 individuals. The Location Quotient of 1.19 indicates a slightly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting a stable, albeit not booming, demand for restaurant cooks within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$27,940

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Beckley, WV earns-25.9%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$13.4

Weekly

$537

Monthly

$2,328

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Beckley, WV

Experience significantly influences a Cook's earning potential in Beckley. Entry-level positions typically start at the lower end of the salary spectrum, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills and supervisory experience can command salaries well above the average. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this career progression, with senior cooks occupying the higher salary brackets.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$21,060$10.1
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$20,955$10.1
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$27,540$13.2
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$34,925$16.8
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$34,890$16.8

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$27,940

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$27,940

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal salary of $27,940 in Beckley, WV, is directly offset by a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average. This means that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary within Beckley is equivalent to the national average, making the lower nominal wage more manageable locally.

Job Market Context

480

Total Jobs

11.173

Per 1K Jobs

1.19

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.19, Beckley, WV has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant roles compared to the national norm.

With a Location Quotient of 1.19, Beckley, WV, shows a slightly higher concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs than the national average. This suggests that the demand for these roles is somewhat more pronounced in Beckley relative to its overall workforce size, indicating a competitive but accessible market for aspiring or current cooks in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Charleston, WV Cooks, Restaurant Salary$29,310↑ 5%46 mi
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$34,010↑ 22%57 mi
Roanoke, VA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,490↑ 20%76 mi
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Cooks, Restaurant Salary$29,210↑ 5%80 mi

Comparing salaries near Beckley, WV

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Beckley, WV?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Beckley, WV is $27,940. This typically ranges from $21,060 for entry-level positions to $34,890 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Beckley, WV is 25.9% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Beckley, WV a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary for Cooks in Beckley is significantly lower than the national average, although the cost of living is also at the national average, mitigating some of the impact.

Is Beckley, WV a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

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

Where are the highest paying cities near Beckley, WV?

Some top paying nearby cities include Charleston, WV ($29,310) and Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA.

How does Beckley's Cook salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks in Beckley, WV, is $27,940, which is substantially lower than the national average of $37,700.

What is the Cost of Living in Beckley, WV?

Beckley, WV has a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning everyday expenses are neither cheaper nor more expensive than the typical US city.

Is there high demand for Cooks in Beckley?

The Location Quotient of 1.19 suggests a slightly higher concentration of Cooks jobs in Beckley compared to the national average, indicating a steady demand.

How many Cooks are employed in Beckley, WV?

There are approximately 480 individuals employed as Cooks in the Beckley, WV workforce.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 480 employees in the Beckley, WV area with a job density of 11.173 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 Beckley, WV