SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Ithaca, NY

Cooks in Ithaca, NY, earn an average annual salary of $39,400, which is slightly above the national average of $37,700. This localized pay differential is often influenced by the specific economic conditions and demand within Ithaca's vibrant culinary scene, which may necessitate higher compensation to attract and retain skilled kitchen professionals.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $39,400 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 15.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $47,090.
  • Outlook: The Ithaca market for Cooks, Restaurant positions shows a moderate level of concentration, with a Location Quotient of 0.6, indicating a slightly lower presence compared to the national average. However, with a local workforce of 270 individuals in this role, there's a stable base of employment, suggesting consistent demand within the community's food service sector.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$39,400

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Ithaca, NY earns+4.5%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$18.9

Weekly

$758

Monthly

$3,283

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Ithaca, NY

Salary progression for Cooks in Ithaca, NY, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while experienced line cooks, sous chefs, or specialized culinary roles can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this career trajectory, rewarding increased skill, responsibility, and tenure within the kitchen.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$31,200$15
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$29,550$14.2
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$37,870$18.2
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$49,250$23.7
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$47,090$22.6

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$39,400

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$39,400

Adjusted for COL (100)

With an average annual salary of $39,400 and a Cost of Living Index at the national average of 100, the nominal income for Cooks in Ithaca, NY, directly translates to purchasing power equivalent to the national average. This means that while the salary is slightly higher than the national average, the cost of essential goods and services remains comparable.

Job Market Context

270

Total Jobs

5.676

Per 1K Jobs

0.6

Location Quotient

Below Average

Ithaca, NY has 0.60x 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.

The Location Quotient of 0.6 for Cooks, Restaurant in Ithaca, NY, suggests that this profession is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This could imply a less saturated job market, potentially offering more opportunities for skilled individuals or indicating that the demand, while present, is not as overwhelmingly high as in other regions.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Elmira, NY Cooks, Restaurant Salary$37,490↓ 5%29 mi
Binghamton, NY Cooks, Restaurant Salary$37,900↓ 4%39 mi
Syracuse, NY Cooks, Restaurant Salary$39,210↓ 0%45 mi
Rochester, NY Cooks, Restaurant Salary$38,340↓ 3%75 mi
Utica-Rome, NY Cooks, Restaurant Salary$39,770↑ 1%79 mi

Comparing salaries near Ithaca, NY

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Ithaca, NY?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Ithaca, NY is $39,400. This typically ranges from $31,200 for entry-level positions to $47,090 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Ithaca, NY is 4.5% higher than the national median of $37,700.

Is Ithaca, NY a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

Moderately lucrative, with pay slightly above the national average.Cooks in Ithaca earn $39,400 annually, exceeding the national average. However, the Cost of Living is also at the national average, meaning the increased pay offers standard purchasing power.

Is Ithaca, NY a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Ithaca, NY is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Ithaca, NY?

Some top paying nearby cities include Elmira, NY ($37,490) and Binghamton, NY.

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

Cooks in Ithaca, NY, earn an average of $39,400 annually, which is $1,700 more than the national average of $37,700.

What is the concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in Ithaca?

The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.6, indicating that this profession is less common in Ithaca compared to the national average.

How does the Cost of Living in Ithaca affect a cook's salary?

Ithaca's Cost of Living Index is 100, matching the national average. Therefore, the slightly higher salary of $39,400 provides purchasing power equivalent to the national average.

What is the total number of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in Ithaca?

There are approximately 270 individuals employed as Cooks, Restaurant in Ithaca, NY.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 270 employees in the Ithaca, NY area with a job density of 5.676 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 Ithaca, NY