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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

In Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY, Cooks in restaurants earn an average annual salary of $39,990. This figure slightly surpasses the national average of $37,700, indicating a localized demand that slightly outpaces the broader market. The specific economic conditions and culinary landscape within the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metropolitan area contribute to this competitive compensation for restaurant cooks.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $39,990 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $47,920.
  • Outlook: The Buffalo-Cheektowaga area supports a substantial workforce of 3,990 Cooks, Restaurant professionals. With a Location Quotient of 0.8, the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, suggesting a stable but not overly saturated job market. The presence of 7.507 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates a consistent demand for culinary talent within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$39,990

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY earns+6.1%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$19.2

Weekly

$769

Monthly

$3,333

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

The career trajectory for a Cook in Buffalo-Cheektowaga typically involves significant salary progression from entry-level positions to senior or specialized roles. While the average salary stands at $39,990, experienced cooks commanding higher salaries can expect to earn considerably more, potentially reaching into higher percentiles. These percentile gaps clearly signify the value placed on experience, skill, and leadership within a restaurant kitchen.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$31,200$15
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$29,993$14.4
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$37,700$18.1
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$49,988$24
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$47,920$23

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$39,990

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$39,990

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $39,990 in Buffalo-Cheektowaga aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the nominal salary holds its purchasing power directly against the national standard, offering no immediate advantage or disadvantage in terms of real income compared to the average American city.

Job Market Context

3,990

Total Jobs

7.507

Per 1K Jobs

0.8

Location Quotient

Below Average

Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY has 0.80x the national average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant 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 0.8 for Cooks, Restaurant in Buffalo-Cheektowaga suggests that the concentration of these jobs is slightly lower than the national average. This indicates that while the job market is stable and offers opportunities, it may not be as densely populated with culinary roles as some other regions, potentially leading to moderate competition for available positions.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Rochester, NY Cooks, Restaurant Salary$38,340↓ 4%65 mi
Erie, PA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$31,160↓ 22%83 mi

Comparing salaries near Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $39,990. This typically ranges from $31,200 for entry-level positions to $47,920 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is 6.1% higher than the national median of $37,700.

Is Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

Moderately. The average salary slightly exceeds the national average, and the cost of living is on par.Cooks in Buffalo-Cheektowaga earn an average of $39,990 annually, which is above the national average. Coupled with a cost of living index at the national average (100), this presents a stable earning potential for the role.

Is Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

Some top paying nearby cities include Rochester, NY ($38,340) and Erie, PA.

How does the Buffalo-Cheektowaga salary compare to the national average for Cooks?

The average annual salary for Cooks in Buffalo-Cheektowaga is $39,990, which is slightly higher than the national average of $37,700.

What is the Cost of Living in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The Cost of Living Index in Buffalo-Cheektowaga is 100, which is exactly the national average.

How many Cooks work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

There are approximately 3,990 Cooks employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metropolitan area.

Is the job market for Cooks in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY growing?

While specific growth rates aren't detailed, the stable workforce size and jobs per 1,000 workers suggest consistent demand, implying a steady job market rather than rapid expansion.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 3,990 employees in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY area with a job density of 7.507 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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY