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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area

Cooks in the Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $27,310, which is notably below the national average of $37,700. This disparity is often influenced by regional economic factors, including the cost of doing business and the overall demand for specialized culinary roles within nonmetropolitan economies.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $27,310 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 20.4% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $40,430.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 510 Cooks, Restaurant professionals, and a location quotient of 0.69, the job market in Central Louisiana indicates a slightly lower concentration of these roles compared to the national average. While not indicating a booming demand, the existing workforce size suggests a stable, albeit less concentrated, presence of these essential positions.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$27,310

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area earns-27.6%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$13.1

Weekly

$525

Monthly

$2,276

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area

Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant professionals in Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while experienced chefs and kitchen managers can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify opportunities for career advancement and specialization within the culinary field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$16,570$8
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$20,483$9.8
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$26,960$13
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$34,138$16.4
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$40,430$19.4

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$27,310

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$27,310

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $27,310 in Central Louisiana's nonmetropolitan area aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary locally is equivalent to the national average, suggesting a balanced economic environment for residents.

Job Market Context

510

Total Jobs

6.539

Per 1K Jobs

0.69

Location Quotient

Below Average

Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area has 0.69x 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 0.69 for Cooks, Restaurant professionals in Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area suggests that this profession is less concentrated here than the national average. This indicates a potentially less competitive market for job seekers in this specific role, though it also implies a lower overall demand compared to more metropolitan or specialized culinary hubs.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

Comparing salaries near Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area is $27,310. This typically ranges from $16,570 for entry-level positions to $40,430 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area is 27.6% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, it is not considered a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants based on average earnings.The average salary of $27,310 is significantly lower than the national average, and while the cost of living is average, the overall compensation is less competitive.

Is Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area?

Some top paying nearby cities include Alexandria, LA ($27,910) and Baton Rouge, LA.

How does the local Cook salary compare to the national average?

Cooks in Central Louisiana's nonmetropolitan area earn approximately $10,390 less annually than the national average.

What is the concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in this area?

The concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs is 0.69, meaning it is less concentrated than the national average.

Does the cost of living affect the Cook salary in Central Louisiana?

The cost of living in Central Louisiana's nonmetropolitan area is at the national average (100), meaning the lower salary has equivalent purchasing power locally.

How many Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there per 1,000 workers locally?

There are approximately 6.54 jobs for Cooks, Restaurant per 1,000 workers in the Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 510 employees in the Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area area with a job density of 6.539 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.