Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Killeen-Temple, TX
Cooks in the Killeen-Temple, TX area earn an average annual salary of $29,960, which is notably below the national average of $37,700. This disparity is often influenced by local economic factors, the specific demand within the region's hospitality sector, and the overall cost of doing business for restaurants in Central Texas.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $29,960 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 26.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $36,480.
- Outlook: The Killeen-Temple area supports a local workforce of 1,420 Cooks, Restaurant positions, indicating a stable presence in the region's employment landscape. With a Location Quotient of 1.02, the concentration of these roles is very close to the national average, suggesting a balanced demand that aligns with national trends, neither indicating a significant surplus nor a critical shortage of culinary professionals.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in Killeen-Temple, TX earns-20.5%below the national average.
$14.4
$576
$2,497
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Killeen-Temple's cook salaries isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume a general upward trend in compensation over the past four years, mirroring national patterns. Economic recovery, inflation, and evolving labor market dynamics typically drive modest annual salary increases for most occupations, including those in the food service industry.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Killeen-Temple, TX
Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant roles in Killeen-Temple, TX, 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, potentially reaching the 75th percentile or beyond. These percentile gaps highlight the career growth opportunities available through skill development and tenure.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $21,220 | $10.2 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $22,470 | $10.8 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $28,920 | $13.9 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $37,450 | $18 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $36,480 | $17.5 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$29,960
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$29,960
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $29,960 in Killeen-Temple, TX, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary might appear lower than the national average, its purchasing power locally is equivalent to the national average, suggesting that everyday expenses are neither significantly more nor less affordable than in a typical U.S. city.
Job Market Context
1,420
Total Jobs
9.561
Per 1K Jobs
1.02
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.02, Killeen-Temple, TX has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant roles compared to the national norm.
A Location Quotient of 1.02 for Cooks, Restaurant in Killeen-Temple, TX, signifies that the job market for this profession is nearly identical in concentration to the national average. This suggests a competitive yet stable environment where the number of available positions generally corresponds to the number of qualified individuals seeking employment, without extreme over or under-supply.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $30,630↑ 2% | 10 mi |
| Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $29,790↓ 1% | 10 mi |
| Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $30,260↑ 1% | 10 mi |
| Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $29,550↓ 1% | 10 mi |
| Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $30,160↑ 1% | 10 mi |
Comparing salaries near Killeen-Temple, TX
Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Killeen-Temple, TX?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Killeen-Temple, TX is $29,960. This typically ranges from $21,220 for entry-level positions to $36,480 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Killeen-Temple, TX is 20.5% lower than the national median of $37,700.
Is Killeen-Temple, TX a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $29,960 is below the national average, although the Cost of Living is at the national average, making the purchasing power comparable.
Is Killeen-Temple, TX a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in Killeen-Temple, TX is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Killeen-Temple, TX?
Some top paying nearby cities include North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area ($30,630) and Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area.
How does the Killeen-Temple cook salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Cooks in Killeen-Temple, TX is $29,960, which is approximately $7,740 less than the national average of $37,700.
What is the concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in Killeen-Temple, TX?
The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 1.02, indicating that the proportion of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in Killeen-Temple is very similar to the national average.
How many Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there per 1,000 workers in Killeen-Temple, TX?
There are approximately 9.561 jobs per 1,000 workers for Cooks, Restaurant in the Killeen-Temple area.
Does the Cost of Living in Killeen-Temple, TX affect the cook salary?
The Cost of Living Index in Killeen-Temple is 100, which is the national average. This means the $29,960 salary has a purchasing power equivalent to the national average, despite being lower than the national salary figure.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,420 employees in the Killeen-Temple, TX area with a job density of 9.561 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Killeen-Temple, TX