SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Grand Island, NE

Cooks in Grand Island, Nebraska earn an average annual salary of $35,310. This figure is slightly below the national average of $37,700, indicating that local market dynamics and potentially a lower cost of living contribute to this compensation level. Understanding these local factors is crucial for assessing the true value of this salary.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $35,310 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 9.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $44,700.
  • Outlook: With a total local workforce of 210 Cooks, Restaurant, and a Location Quotient of 0.58, Grand Island presents a market with moderate concentration. While not as densely populated with this profession as the national average, the presence of 5.417 jobs per 1,000 workers suggests a steady demand within the local hospitality sector.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$35,310

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Grand Island, NE earns-6.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$17

Weekly

$679

Monthly

$2,943

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Grand Island, NE

Salary progression for Cooks in Grand Island, NE, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with extensive culinary expertise and management skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this career trajectory, rewarding those who advance their skills and responsibilities.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$27,050$13
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,483$12.7
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$35,380$17
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$44,138$21.2
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$44,700$21.5

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$35,310

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$35,310

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal salary of $35,310 in Grand Island, NE, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the purchasing power of a cook's salary in Grand Island is equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the slightly lower nominal wage is balanced by the cost of everyday expenses.

Job Market Context

210

Total Jobs

5.417

Per 1K Jobs

0.58

Location Quotient

Below Average

Grand Island, NE has 0.58x 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 0.58 for Cooks, Restaurant in Grand Island indicates that this profession is less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while there is a stable presence of these roles, the market may be less saturated, potentially offering opportunities for skilled individuals, but also implying a lower overall demand relative to other professions nationally.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$32,500↓ 8%15 mi
Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,600↓ 5%15 mi
Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$32,000↓ 9%15 mi
Lincoln, NE Cooks, Restaurant Salary$37,050↑ 5%88 mi

Comparing salaries near Grand Island, NE

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Grand Island, NE?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Grand Island, NE is $35,310. This typically ranges from $27,050 for entry-level positions to $44,700 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Grand Island, NE is 6.3% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Grand Island, NE a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, Grand Island, NE is not a particularly lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants compared to the national average.The average salary of $35,310 is below the national average, and while the cost of living is on par, the lower nominal wage indicates less earning potential in this specific role.

Is Grand Island, NE a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Grand Island, NE is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Grand Island, NE?

Some top paying nearby cities include South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area ($32,500) and Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area.

How does the Grand Island cook salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for a Cook in Grand Island, NE is $35,310, which is approximately $2,390 less than the national average of $37,700.

What is the job concentration for Cooks in Grand Island?

The Location Quotient for Cooks in Grand Island is 0.58, meaning the profession is less concentrated there than the national average.

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

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the national average, the $35,310 salary in Grand Island has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, offsetting the slightly lower nominal wage.

What is the total number of restaurant cooks employed in Grand Island?

There are approximately 210 Cooks, Restaurant employed in Grand Island, NE.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 210 employees in the Grand Island, NE area with a job density of 5.417 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 Grand Island, NE