Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Cooks in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN area earn an average annual salary of $36,510. This figure is slightly below the national average of $37,700, suggesting localized market dynamics and potentially lower operational costs influence compensation in this region. The specific economic conditions and demand within La Crosse-Onalaska play a crucial role in setting this pay scale.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $36,510 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 30.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $46,010.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 900 Cooks, Restaurant, the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN area demonstrates a stable employment base for this profession. The Location Quotient of 1.15 indicates a slightly higher concentration of these jobs compared to the national average, suggesting a moderate but present demand for culinary professionals in the region.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN earns-3.2%below the national average.
$17.6
$702
$3,043
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is generally observed that salaries for Cooks, Restaurant have seen consistent, modest growth over the past four years, mirroring increases in the cost of living and demand for skilled kitchen staff. This trend is likely reflected in the La Crosse-Onalaska area, with potential for incremental salary adjustments.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned chefs with specialized skills and supervisory experience can command salaries in the higher percentiles. The gap between the 25th and 75th percentile salaries signifies the potential for career advancement and increased earning power within the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $27,430 | $13.2 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $27,383 | $13.2 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $36,510 | $17.6 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $45,638 | $21.9 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $46,010 | $22.1 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$36,510
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$36,510
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $36,510 in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a cook's salary in this area is equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial environment without significant advantages or disadvantages related to living expenses.
Job Market Context
900
Total Jobs
10.79
Per 1K Jobs
1.15
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.15, La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant roles compared to the national norm.
The Location Quotient of 1.15 for Cooks, Restaurant in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN signifies that this profession is slightly more concentrated in this area than the national average. This suggests a healthy, albeit not overwhelmingly saturated, job market with a steady demand for culinary talent relative to the general workforce.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $38,850↑ 6% | 64 mi |
| Eau Claire, WI Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $35,390↓ 3% | 70 mi |
| South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $35,850↓ 2% | 86 mi |
| Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $34,170↓ 6% | 86 mi |
| Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $33,970↓ 7% | 86 mi |
Comparing salaries near La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN is $36,510. This typically ranges from $27,430 for entry-level positions to $46,010 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN is 3.2% lower than the national median of $37,700.
Is La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
Moderately so.The average salary is slightly below the national average, but the cost of living is also at the national average, indicating a balanced financial standing for cooks in the area.
Is La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
Some top paying nearby cities include Rochester, MN ($38,850) and Eau Claire, WI.
How does the La Crosse-Onalaska salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Cooks in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN is $36,510, which is slightly lower than the national average of $37,700.
What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) in La Crosse-Onalaska?
An LQ of 1.15 indicates that the concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in La Crosse-Onalaska is 15% higher than the national average, suggesting a slightly stronger local demand.
How does the Cost of Living Index affect the salary in La Crosse-Onalaska?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the national average, the $36,510 salary in La Crosse-Onalaska offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
What is the total number of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in La Crosse-Onalaska?
There are approximately 900 Cooks, Restaurant jobs within the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN workforce.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 900 employees in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN area with a job density of 10.79 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 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN