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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Ocala, FL

Cooks in Ocala, Florida, earn an average annual salary of $34,530, which is notably below the national average of $37,700. This disparity is often influenced by the specific economic drivers and demand within the local Ocala market, impacting the overall compensation structure for restaurant roles.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $34,530 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 25.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $42,490.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of approximately 1,300 Cooks, Restaurant positions, Ocala presents a stable, albeit not exceptionally concentrated, job market for culinary professionals. The Location Quotient of 1.16 suggests a slightly higher prevalence of these roles compared to the national average, indicating a consistent demand that supports the existing workforce size.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$34,530

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Ocala, FL earns-8.4%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.6

Weekly

$664

Monthly

$2,878

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Ocala, FL

Salary progression for Cooks in Ocala, FL, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs and cooks with specialized skills or supervisory experience can command significantly higher salaries, potentially reaching the upper percentiles of the earning spectrum.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$27,720$13.3
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$25,898$12.5
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$34,730$16.7
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$43,163$20.8
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$42,490$20.4

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$34,530

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$34,530

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $34,530 in Ocala, FL, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that income within Ocala is comparable to the national standard, suggesting a balanced financial landscape for residents.

Job Market Context

1,300

Total Jobs

10.945

Per 1K Jobs

1.16

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.16, Ocala, FL has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant roles compared to the national norm.

Ocala's Location Quotient of 1.16 for Cooks, Restaurant indicates a market where these roles are slightly more concentrated than the national average. This suggests a healthy demand relative to the general job market, implying that while not an exceptionally high-demand niche, the field is well-established and offers opportunities for those seeking employment in this sector.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Wildwood-The Villages, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$35,970↑ 4%29 mi
Homosassa Springs, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,980↓ 2%34 mi
Gainesville, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$35,190↑ 2%37 mi
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$35,160↑ 2%60 mi
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$37,970↑ 10%64 mi

Comparing salaries near Ocala, FL

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Ocala, FL?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Ocala, FL is $34,530. This typically ranges from $27,720 for entry-level positions to $42,490 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Ocala, FL is 8.4% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Ocala, FL a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, Ocala, FL is not a particularly lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants compared to the national average.The average salary of $34,530 is below the national average, although the cost of living is on par. This indicates that while your money may go as far, the overall earning potential is lower than in many other areas.

Is Ocala, FL a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Ocala, FL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Ocala, FL?

Some top paying nearby cities include Wildwood-The Villages, FL ($35,970) and Homosassa Springs, FL.

How does Ocala's cook salary compare to the national average?

Cooks in Ocala, FL, earn an average of $34,530 annually, which is approximately $3,170 less than the national average of $37,700.

What is the job concentration for cooks in Ocala, FL?

The job concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 1.16, meaning there are slightly more cook positions in Ocala relative to the national average.

How does the cost of living in Ocala affect the cook salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Ocala is at the national average. This means the $34,530 salary has a purchasing power equivalent to the national average, despite being a lower nominal figure.

How many cooks are employed in Ocala, FL?

There are approximately 1,300 Cooks employed in Ocala, FL, representing about 10.95 jobs per 1,000 workers in the local economy.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,300 employees in the Ocala, FL area with a job density of 10.945 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 Ocala, FL