Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
Cooks in the vibrant Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL area earn an average annual salary of $37,180. This figure is slightly below the national average of $37,700, a common occurrence in regions with specific economic drivers or a unique labor market composition. Local demand and the cost of doing business in this popular Florida destination play a significant role in shaping compensation for culinary professionals.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $37,180 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 16.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $44,890.
- Outlook: The Cape Coral-Fort Myers culinary landscape supports a substantial workforce of 4,720 Cooks, Restaurant. With a Location Quotient of 1.67, this indicates a significantly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting robust demand and a thriving job market for restaurant cooks in the area.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL earns-1.4%below the national average.
$17.9
$715
$3,098
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this precise role in Cape Coral-Fort Myers isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume a general upward trend in salaries for Cooks, Restaurant over the past four years, mirroring national patterns of wage growth driven by inflation and increasing demand for skilled service professionals.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned chefs and kitchen managers can command salaries in the higher percentiles, reflecting their accumulated expertise, leadership capabilities, and specialized culinary skills.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $29,070 | $14 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $27,885 | $13.4 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $36,670 | $17.6 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $46,475 | $22.3 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $44,890 | $21.6 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$37,180
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$37,180
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average salary of $37,180 in Cape Coral-Fort Myers aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living (100). This means that while the salary is slightly below the national average, the purchasing power of that income locally is comparable to the national standard, offering a stable financial environment for residents.
Job Market Context
4,720
Total Jobs
15.709
Per 1K Jobs
1.67
Location Quotient
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL has 1.7x the national concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
A Location Quotient of 1.67 for Cooks, Restaurant in Cape Coral-Fort Myers signifies a market where these professionals are in higher demand relative to the national average. This concentration suggests a competitive environment for employers seeking talent, potentially leading to more opportunities and better negotiation power for experienced cooks.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Punta Gorda, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $36,730↓ 1% | 18 mi |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $37,920↑ 2% | 31 mi |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $41,350↑ 11% | 36 mi |
| Sebring, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $33,570↓ 10% | 67 mi |
| North Florida nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $43,920↑ 18% | 80 mi |
Comparing salaries near Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL is $37,180. This typically ranges from $29,070 for entry-level positions to $44,890 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL is 1.4% lower than the national median of $37,700.
Is Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.While the area has a higher concentration of restaurant cook jobs (LQ 1.67), the average salary of $37,180 is slightly below the national average, and the cost of living is exactly at the national average.
Is Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL?
Some top paying nearby cities include Punta Gorda, FL ($36,730) and North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL is $37,180, which is slightly lower than the national average of $37,700.
What does the Location Quotient (LQ) of 1.67 mean for cooks?
An LQ of 1.67 indicates that Cape Coral-Fort Myers has 67% more Cooks, Restaurant jobs per capita than the national average, suggesting a strong local demand for these roles.
How does the cost of living affect the salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the salary of $37,180 in Cape Coral-Fort Myers has the same purchasing power as the national average salary across the country.
What is the total number of restaurant cooks in the area?
There are approximately 4,720 Cooks, Restaurant employed within the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 4,720 employees in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL area with a job density of 15.709 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 Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL