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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Longview-Kelso, WA

Cooks in the Longview-Kelso, WA area earn an average annual salary of $40,640, surpassing the national average of $37,700. This higher local compensation reflects the specific economic conditions and demand dynamics within the Longview-Kelso metropolitan area, influencing the pay scale for culinary professionals.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $40,640 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $48,090.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 340 Cooks and a Location Quotient of 0.89, the Longview-Kelso market indicates a slightly lower concentration of these roles compared to the national average. However, with 8.379 jobs per 1,000 workers, there's a steady presence of opportunities, suggesting a stable, albeit not exceptionally concentrated, demand for restaurant cooks.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$40,640

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Longview-Kelso, WA earns+7.8%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$19.5

Weekly

$782

Monthly

$3,387

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Longview-Kelso, WA

Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant in Longview-Kelso, WA, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with extensive culinary expertise and supervisory skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify the career progression and increased earning potential available to dedicated professionals.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$34,720$16.7
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$30,480$14.7
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$37,470$18
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$50,800$24.4
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$48,090$23.1

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$40,640

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$40,640

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $40,640 in Longview-Kelso, WA, aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living, indicated by an index of 100. This means that the nominal income earned by cooks in this area holds its purchasing power comparably to the national average, offering a stable financial footing for residents.

Job Market Context

340

Total Jobs

8.379

Per 1K Jobs

0.89

Location Quotient

Below Average

Longview-Kelso, WA has 0.89x 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 0.89 for Cooks, Restaurant in Longview-Kelso suggests that the profession is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This implies that while the job market is stable, it may not be saturated, potentially offering a balanced environment for job seekers and employers alike.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

Comparing salaries near Longview-Kelso, WA

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Longview-Kelso, WA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Longview-Kelso, WA is $40,640. This typically ranges from $34,720 for entry-level positions to $48,090 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Longview-Kelso, WA is 7.8% higher than the national median of $37,700.

Is Longview-Kelso, WA a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

Yes, Longview-Kelso, WA offers a slightly more lucrative environment for Cooks, Restaurants.The average salary of $40,640 is above the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, indicating good purchasing power.

Is Longview-Kelso, WA a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Longview-Kelso, WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Longview-Kelso, WA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($41,870) and Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA.

How does the Longview-Kelso salary compare to the national average?

Cooks in Longview-Kelso, WA earn an average of $40,640 annually, which is higher than the national average of $37,700.

What is the cost of living in Longview-Kelso, WA for cooks?

The cost of living in Longview-Kelso, WA is at the national average, with an index of 100, meaning your salary has average purchasing power.

How concentrated is the job market for cooks in Longview-Kelso, WA?

The job market is slightly less concentrated than the national average, with a Location Quotient of 0.89, suggesting a balanced job market.

What is the total number of cooks employed in Longview-Kelso, WA?

There are approximately 340 Cooks employed in the Longview-Kelso, WA area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 340 employees in the Longview-Kelso, WA area with a job density of 8.379 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.