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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Connecticut

Cooks in restaurants across Connecticut earn an average annual salary of $40,190, surpassing the national average of $37,700. This higher compensation is often influenced by the state's elevated cost of living and the specific demands of its culinary sector, reflecting a localized premium for skilled kitchen professionals.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $40,190 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 17.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $48,040.
  • Outlook: With a substantial local workforce of 13,940 individuals and a Location Quotient of 0.88, Connecticut presents a robust yet slightly below-national-average concentration of restaurant cooks. This indicates a stable job market where the demand for culinary talent is consistent, though not disproportionately higher than in other regions.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$40,190

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Connecticut earns+6.6%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$19.3

Weekly

$773

Monthly

$3,349

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Connecticut

The salary range for Cooks, Restaurant in Connecticut typically widens significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs and culinary managers with extensive experience can command salaries well above the average. These percentile gaps highlight clear opportunities for career progression and increased earning potential within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$32,640$15.7
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$30,143$14.5
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$38,020$18.3
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$50,238$24.2
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$48,040$23.1

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$40,190

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$35,535

Adjusted for COL (113.1)

While the nominal average salary for Cooks in Connecticut is $40,190, the state's Cost of Living Index of 113.1 means that this income will not stretch as far as it would in a location with a lower cost of living. Effectively, the purchasing power of this salary is slightly reduced compared to the national average, a crucial factor for potential relocators to consider.

Job Market Context

13,940

Total Jobs

8.289

Per 1K Jobs

0.88

Location Quotient

Below Average

Connecticut has 0.88x 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.

Connecticut's Location Quotient of 0.88 for Cooks, Restaurant suggests that the profession is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This implies a healthy, competitive job market where employers actively seek qualified individuals, but it doesn't necessarily indicate a shortage or an oversupply of talent.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT Cooks, Restaurant Salary$39,720↓ 1%12 mi
Waterbury-Shelton, CT Cooks, Restaurant Salary$39,090↓ 3%15 mi
New Haven, CT Cooks, Restaurant Salary$39,790↓ 1%22 mi
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT Cooks, Restaurant Salary$39,630↓ 1%35 mi
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Cooks, Restaurant Salary$41,740↑ 4%36 mi

Comparing salaries near Connecticut

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Connecticut?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Connecticut is $40,190. This typically ranges from $32,640 for entry-level positions to $48,040 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Connecticut is 6.6% higher than the national median of $37,700.

Is Connecticut a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

Yes, with caveats.Cooks in Connecticut earn above the national average salary, but the higher cost of living means their purchasing power is slightly diminished compared to national averages.

Is Connecticut a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Connecticut is 113.1. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Connecticut?

Some top paying nearby cities include Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($39,720) and Waterbury-Shelton, CT.

What is the average salary for a Cook in Connecticut?

The average annual salary for a Cook in Connecticut is $40,190.

How does Connecticut's cook salary compare to the national average?

Cooks in Connecticut earn approximately $2,490 more annually than the national average salary of $37,700.

How does the cost of living in Connecticut affect a cook's salary?

Connecticut has a Cost of Living Index of 113.1, meaning it is 13.1% more expensive than the national average. This higher cost of living offsets some of the benefit of the higher nominal salary.

Is the job market for cooks strong in Connecticut?

With 13,940 cooks and a Location Quotient of 0.88, the market is stable, indicating consistent demand for culinary professionals without an extreme over or under-representation compared to the national landscape.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 13,940 employees in the Connecticut area with a job density of 8.289 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 Connecticut