Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
Cooks in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA area earn an average annual salary of $34,010. This figure is slightly below the national average of $37,700, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially a different economic landscape influence compensation for this role. The specific economic drivers within this Virginia region contribute to this pay differential.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $34,010 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 25.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $41,500.
- Outlook: The Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA region supports a local workforce of 740 Cooks, Restaurant positions. With a Location Quotient of 1.06, this indicates a slightly higher concentration of these jobs compared to the national average, suggesting a stable, albeit not booming, demand for culinary professionals in the area.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA earns-9.8%below the national average.
$16.4
$654
$2,834
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this locality isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume that, similar to national trends, salaries for Cooks in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA have experienced gradual growth over the past four years. This growth is typically driven by inflation, increasing demand for dining services, and the need for experienced culinary staff.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
As with most professions, experience plays a significant role in a Cook's earning potential. Entry-level positions will likely fall at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with specialized skills and supervisory experience can command higher salaries. The percentile gaps in salary data, though not detailed here, would typically signify this progression from junior to senior roles.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $27,020 | $13 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $25,508 | $12.3 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $35,100 | $16.9 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $42,513 | $20.4 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $41,500 | $20 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$34,010
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$34,010
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average salary of $34,010 in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the salary is below the national average, the purchasing power of that income locally is comparable to the national average, making the effective financial standing neither a significant advantage nor disadvantage.
Job Market Context
740
Total Jobs
9.959
Per 1K Jobs
1.06
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.06, Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant roles compared to the national norm.
A Location Quotient of 1.06 for Cooks, Restaurant in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA suggests that this profession is slightly more concentrated in this region than the national average. This indicates a healthy, slightly above-average presence of these roles, implying a competitive but accessible job market for culinary talent.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke, VA Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $33,490↓ 2% | 26 mi |
| Beckley, WV Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $27,940↓ 18% | 57 mi |
| Lynchburg, VA Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $34,030↑ 0% | 69 mi |
| Winston-Salem, NC Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $33,050↓ 3% | 79 mi |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $33,670↓ 1% | 85 mi |
Comparing salaries near Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA is $34,010. This typically ranges from $27,020 for entry-level positions to $41,500 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA is 9.8% lower than the national median of $37,700.
Is Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $34,010 is below the national average, though the Cost of Living is also at the national average, making the purchasing power comparable.
Is Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Roanoke, VA ($33,490) and Beckley, WV.
How does the local salary compare to the national average?
Cooks in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA earn approximately $34,010 annually, which is below the national average of $37,700.
What is the Cost of Living in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
The Cost of Living Index in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA is 100, which is exactly the national average.
How many Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there in this area?
There are approximately 740 Cooks, Restaurant positions within the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA local workforce.
Is there high demand for Cooks in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
With a Location Quotient of 1.06, the demand is slightly higher than the national average, indicating a stable job market for cooks in the region.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 740 employees in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA area with a job density of 9.959 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, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA