SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Cooks in the East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $34,170. This figure is slightly below the national average of $37,700, reflecting regional economic factors and the specific demand dynamics within this nonmetropolitan setting. The local pay scale is influenced by the cost of doing business and the overall labor market conditions prevalent in this part of Illinois.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $34,170 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 52.6% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $42,210.
  • Outlook: The job market for Cooks in East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area appears stable, with a total local workforce of 1,310 individuals in this role. The Location Quotient of 0.97 suggests a concentration of these jobs that is very close to the national average, indicating a consistent, albeit not exceptionally high, demand for culinary professionals in the region. With 9.137 jobs per 1,000 workers, the employment landscape is neither saturated nor critically undersupplied.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$34,170

The average Cooks, Restaurant in East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area earns-9.4%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.4

Weekly

$657

Monthly

$2,848

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant in East Central Illinois typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions will likely fall at the lower end of the pay scale, potentially around the 25th percentile, while seasoned chefs with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries closer to the 75th percentile or higher. The widening gap between entry-level and senior roles signifies clear career advancement opportunities within the profession.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$29,120$14
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$25,628$12.3
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$33,200$16
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$42,713$20.5
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$42,210$20.3

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$34,170

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$34,170

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $34,170 in East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that while the salary might be lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that income is equivalent to the national standard, suggesting that the cost of essential goods and services is balanced with the local compensation.

Job Market Context

1,310

Total Jobs

9.137

Per 1K Jobs

0.97

Location Quotient

Below Average

East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area has 0.97x 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.

With a Location Quotient of 0.97, the job market for Cooks, Restaurant in East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area is nearly on par with the national average in terms of concentration. This indicates a competitive but stable environment where the number of available positions closely matches the national distribution relative to the workforce size. It suggests that while opportunities exist, the market is not exceptionally saturated, nor is it experiencing a significant shortage.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

Comparing salaries near East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area is $34,170. This typically ranges from $29,120 for entry-level positions to $42,210 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area is 9.4% lower than the national median of $37,700.

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

No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $34,170 is below the national average of $37,700, although the cost of living is also at the national average. This suggests that while the cost of living is balanced, the earning potential is somewhat limited in this region.

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

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

Where are the highest paying cities near East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area?

Some top paying nearby cities include Bloomington, IL ($35,120) and Decatur, IL.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area is $34,170, which is approximately $3,530 less than the national average of $37,700.

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

The Location Quotient is 0.97, indicating that the concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area is very close to the national average.

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

There are approximately 9.137 jobs per 1,000 workers for Cooks, Restaurant in the East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area.

Does the cost of living affect the perceived value of the salary?

No, the local Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. This means the $34,170 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary in terms of local expenses.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,310 employees in the East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area area with a job density of 9.137 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.