SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

Cooks in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI area earn an average annual salary of $35,340. This figure is slightly below the national average of $37,700, a common trend in many metropolitan areas where local economic factors and the cost of doing business can influence compensation levels for specific roles.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $35,340 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 29.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $43,920.
  • Outlook: The Kalamazoo-Portage area supports a local workforce of 1,050 Cooks, Restaurant professionals. With a Location Quotient of 0.93, the concentration of these jobs is nearly on par with the national average, suggesting a stable and consistent demand for culinary talent within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$35,340

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI earns-6.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$17

Weekly

$680

Monthly

$2,945

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

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, often reflected in the upper percentiles of the salary distribution.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$28,660$13.8
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,505$12.7
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$36,150$17.4
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$44,175$21.2
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$43,920$21.1

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$35,340

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$35,340

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $35,340 in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This indicates that the nominal earnings of a cook in this region are likely to have purchasing power equivalent to the national average, suggesting a balanced financial landscape for residents.

Job Market Context

1,050

Total Jobs

8.802

Per 1K Jobs

0.93

Location Quotient

Below Average

Kalamazoo-Portage, MI has 0.93x 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 0.93 signifies that the Kalamazoo-Portage area has a slightly lower concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs compared to the national average. This suggests a moderately competitive job market where demand is present but not overwhelmingly abundant, offering a balanced environment for job seekers.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Battle Creek, MI Cooks, Restaurant Salary$37,970↑ 7%18 mi
Elkhart-Goshen, IN Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,700↓ 5%45 mi
Niles, MI Cooks, Restaurant Salary$35,510↑ 0%45 mi
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI Cooks, Restaurant Salary$36,700↑ 4%48 mi
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,720↓ 5%54 mi

Comparing salaries near Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is $35,340. This typically ranges from $28,660 for entry-level positions to $43,920 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is 6.3% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Kalamazoo-Portage, MI a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.The average salary of $35,340 is slightly below the national average, and the cost of living is exactly at the national average, indicating standard earning potential for this role.

Is Kalamazoo-Portage, MI a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

Some top paying nearby cities include Battle Creek, MI ($37,970) and Elkhart-Goshen, IN.

How many Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

There are approximately 1,050 Cooks, Restaurant professionals employed in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI area.

What is the average salary for a Cook, Restaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

The average annual salary for a Cook, Restaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is $35,340.

How does the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI salary compare to the national average?

The average salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI ($35,340) is slightly lower than the national average ($37,700).

What does a Location Quotient of 0.93 mean for Cooks, Restaurant in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?

A Location Quotient of 0.93 indicates that the proportion of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is slightly less than the national average, suggesting a stable but not exceptionally concentrated job market for this profession.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,050 employees in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI area with a job density of 8.802 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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI