Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
Cooks in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL area earn an average annual salary of $36,800. This figure is slightly below the national average of $37,700, suggesting that while demand is present, local market dynamics and potentially the cost of labor influence compensation. The specific economic landscape of this Florida region plays a key role in shaping these pay rates.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $36,800 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 21.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $45,280.
- Outlook: The Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL area demonstrates a robust job market for Cooks, Restaurant professionals, with a substantial local workforce of 2,520 individuals. The Location Quotient of 2.14 indicates a significantly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average, signaling strong local demand and a specialized need for culinary talent within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL earns-2.4%below the national average.
$17.7
$708
$3,067
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is generally assumed that the culinary sector, like many others, has experienced wage growth over the past four years. Factors such as inflation, increasing demand for dining services, and a competitive labor market likely contributed to a gradual upward trend in salaries for Cooks, Restaurant positions in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant roles typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify career progression opportunities and the value placed on expertise within the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $28,560 | $13.7 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $27,600 | $13.3 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $36,400 | $17.5 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $46,000 | $22.1 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $45,280 | $21.8 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$36,800
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$36,800
Adjusted for COL (100)
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is perfectly aligned with the national average. This means the nominal salary of $36,800 for Cooks, Restaurant holds its purchasing power comparably to the national average, indicating that the local cost of goods and services is neither a significant advantage nor disadvantage for residents.
Job Market Context
2,520
Total Jobs
20.173
Per 1K Jobs
2.14
Location Quotient
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL has 2.1x 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.
The Location Quotient of 2.14 for Cooks, Restaurant in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is notably high, indicating that this profession is more than twice as concentrated in this area compared to the national average. This suggests a highly competitive market for employers seeking talent, and a potentially abundant supply of jobs for individuals looking to enter or advance in this culinary field locally.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $34,790↓ 5% | 42 mi |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $34,710↓ 6% | 69 mi |
| Dothan, AL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $30,560↓ 17% | 77 mi |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $32,330↓ 12% | 78 mi |
| Mobile, AL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $31,440↓ 15% | 91 mi |
Comparing salaries near Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is $36,800. This typically ranges from $28,560 for entry-level positions to $45,280 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is 2.4% lower than the national median of $37,700.
Is Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.While the area has a high concentration of restaurant cook jobs, the average salary of $36,800 is slightly below the national average of $37,700, and the cost of living is exactly at the national average.
Is Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?
Some top paying nearby cities include Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL ($34,790) and Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL.
How does the local salary compare to the national average for Cooks, Restaurant?
The average annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is $36,800, which is slightly lower than the national average of $37,700.
What is the concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in this area?
The concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is high, with a Location Quotient of 2.14, meaning the profession is more than twice as common here as it is nationally.
How does the cost of living in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL affect the salary?
The Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. Therefore, the $36,800 salary has a purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
What does the total local workforce size indicate for Cooks, Restaurant?
With a total local workforce of 2,520 Cooks, Restaurant, the market indicates a significant presence and demand for these roles within the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,520 employees in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL area with a job density of 20.173 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 Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL