Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
Cooks in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME area earn an average annual salary of $42,680, notably exceeding the national average of $37,700. This higher local compensation is often driven by a combination of regional demand, the specific operational costs for restaurants in Maine, and the unique labor market dynamics present in the Lewiston-Auburn metropolitan area.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $42,680 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 39.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $47,150.
- Outlook: The Lewiston-Auburn area supports a local workforce of 260 Cooks, Restaurant positions. With a Location Quotient of 0.57, the concentration of these jobs is below the national average, suggesting a potentially less saturated but stable market. The presence of 5.377 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates a consistent, albeit not overwhelmingly high, demand for culinary professionals in the region.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in Lewiston-Auburn, ME earns+13.2%above the national average.
$20.5
$821
$3,557
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Lewiston-Auburn is not provided, it is generally observed that salaries for Cooks, Restaurant positions across the United States have seen a steady upward trend over the past four years. This growth is typically influenced by inflation, increasing food costs, and a persistent demand for skilled kitchen staff, suggesting that Lewiston-Auburn likely mirrors this national pattern of salary appreciation.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant roles in Lewiston-Auburn, ME, typically correlates with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs and experienced cooks with specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this career trajectory, with senior roles often earning substantially more than their less experienced counterparts.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $36,880 | $17.7 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $32,010 | $15.4 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $44,100 | $21.2 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $53,350 | $25.6 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $47,150 | $22.7 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$42,680
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$42,680
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $42,680 in Lewiston-Auburn, ME, 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, indicating that while pay is higher than the national average, the cost of essential goods and services remains comparable.
Job Market Context
260
Total Jobs
5.377
Per 1K Jobs
0.57
Location Quotient
Lewiston-Auburn, ME has 0.57x 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 0.57 for Cooks, Restaurant in Lewiston-Auburn, ME, signifies that the job market for this profession is less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while there are dedicated roles, the field may not be as saturated as in other regions, potentially offering a more balanced environment for job seekers compared to areas with a higher concentration of culinary professionals.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $46,280↑ 8% | 29 mi |
| Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $42,480↓ 0% | 57 mi |
| Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $42,230↓ 1% | 57 mi |
| Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $39,330↓ 8% | 82 mi |
| Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $40,680↓ 5% | 82 mi |
Comparing salaries near Lewiston-Auburn, ME
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Lewiston-Auburn, ME is $42,680. This typically ranges from $36,880 for entry-level positions to $47,150 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Lewiston-Auburn, ME is 13.2% higher than the national median of $37,700.
Is Lewiston-Auburn, ME a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
Yes, moderately.The average salary of $42,680 is higher than the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, offering good purchasing power.
Is Lewiston-Auburn, ME a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in Lewiston-Auburn, ME is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
Some top paying nearby cities include Portland-South Portland, ME ($46,280) and Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area.
How does the Lewiston-Auburn salary compare to the national average for Cooks?
The average annual salary for Cooks in Lewiston-Auburn, ME is $42,680, which is approximately $4,980 higher than the national average of $37,700.
What is the Cost of Living in Lewiston-Auburn, ME for Cooks?
The Cost of Living Index in Lewiston-Auburn, ME is 100, which is exactly the national average. This means your salary has average purchasing power.
How many Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
There are approximately 260 Cooks, Restaurant positions within the Lewiston-Auburn, ME workforce.
Is the job market for Cooks, Restaurant strong in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
The market shows a steady presence with 5.377 jobs per 1,000 workers and a below-average concentration (LQ of 0.57), indicating consistent demand without oversaturation.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 260 employees in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME area with a job density of 5.377 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 Lewiston-Auburn, ME