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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Cooks in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA area earn an average annual salary of $35,010, which is slightly below the national average of $37,700. This difference can be attributed to a variety of local economic factors, including the specific demand for culinary services and the overall wage structure within the region's hospitality sector.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $35,010 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 27.8% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $45,680.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of approximately 2,600 Cooks, Restaurant, and a Location Quotient of 0.83, the Harrisburg-Carlisle market shows a slightly lower concentration of these roles compared to the national average. While not indicating an oversaturated market, this suggests a stable but not exceptionally high demand for culinary professionals in the area.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$35,010

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA earns-7.1%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.8

Weekly

$673

Monthly

$2,918

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA, 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 gap between entry-level and senior roles signifies a clear career progression path within the culinary field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,100$10.6
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,258$12.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$35,770$17.2
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$43,763$21
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$45,680$22

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$35,010

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$35,010

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $35,010 in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This suggests that, on average, the purchasing power of a cook's salary in this region is comparable to the national standard, meaning the salary effectively covers the average cost of living.

Job Market Context

2,600

Total Jobs

7.855

Per 1K Jobs

0.83

Location Quotient

Below Average

Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA has 0.83x 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 0.83 indicates that the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metropolitan area has a slightly lower concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs relative to the national average. This suggests that while the job market is present and functional, it may be less competitive or saturated than in areas with a higher LQ, potentially offering a more balanced environment for job seekers.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
York-Hanover, PA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,420↓ 5%23 mi
Lebanon, PA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,930↓ 3%25 mi
Lancaster, PA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$34,730↓ 1%35 mi
Gettysburg, PA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,080↓ 6%36 mi
Chambersburg, PA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$32,260↓ 8%47 mi

Comparing salaries near Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is $35,010. This typically ranges from $22,100 for entry-level positions to $45,680 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is 7.1% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not exceptionally lucrative.The average salary of $35,010 is below the national average, and while the cost of living is also at the national average, it doesn't offer a significant financial advantage.

Is Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

Some top paying nearby cities include York-Hanover, PA ($33,420) and Lebanon, PA.

What is the average salary for a Cook in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

The average annual salary for a Cook in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is $35,010.

How does the Harrisburg-Carlisle salary compare to the national average?

The average salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle ($35,010) is slightly lower than the national average ($37,700).

What is the Cost of Living in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

The Cost of Living Index in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA is 100, which is the national average.

How concentrated are Cook jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?

The concentration of Cook jobs, indicated by a Location Quotient of 0.83, is slightly below the national average, suggesting a stable but not overly abundant job market.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,600 employees in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA area with a job density of 7.855 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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA