SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Owensboro, KY

Cooks in Owensboro, KY, earn an average annual salary of $30,800, which is notably below the national average of $37,700. This disparity is often influenced by local economic factors, the specific demand within the regional culinary scene, and the overall cost of labor in the area.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $30,800 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 39.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $37,360.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 430 Cooks, Restaurant, and a Location Quotient of 0.95, Owensboro presents a stable, albeit slightly below-average concentration of this profession compared to national benchmarks. The presence of nearly 9 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates a consistent, though not rapidly expanding, demand for culinary professionals in the area.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$30,800

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Owensboro, KY earns-18.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$14.8

Weekly

$592

Monthly

$2,567

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Owensboro, KY

The career trajectory for Cooks, Restaurant in Owensboro, like elsewhere, typically sees significant salary increases with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with specialized skills and supervisory experience can command salaries well above the average, reflecting the value of their expertise and leadership in a kitchen environment.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,460$10.8
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$23,100$11.1
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$30,160$14.5
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$38,500$18.5
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$37,360$18

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$30,800

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$30,800

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $30,800 in Owensboro, KY, aligns perfectly 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 Owensboro is equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the cost of essential goods and services is balanced.

Job Market Context

430

Total Jobs

8.92

Per 1K Jobs

0.95

Location Quotient

Below Average

Owensboro, KY has 0.95x 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 0.95 indicates that the concentration of Cooks, Restaurant in Owensboro is very close to the national average. This suggests a moderately competitive job market where the number of available positions is relatively in line with the number of qualified individuals, neither indicating a significant surplus nor a severe shortage of culinary talent.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Evansville, IN Cooks, Restaurant Salary$32,430↑ 5%28 mi
Bowling Green, KY Cooks, Restaurant Salary$31,290↑ 2%66 mi
Elizabethtown, KY Cooks, Restaurant Salary$30,470↓ 1%68 mi
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN Cooks, Restaurant Salary$34,240↑ 11%82 mi
Clarksville, TN-KY Cooks, Restaurant Salary$31,360↑ 2%83 mi

Comparing salaries near Owensboro, KY

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Owensboro, KY?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Owensboro, KY is $30,800. This typically ranges from $22,460 for entry-level positions to $37,360 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Owensboro, KY is 18.3% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Owensboro, KY a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not exceptionally lucrative.While the cost of living is average, the average salary for Cooks in Owensboro is below the national average, indicating less financial advantage compared to other regions.

Is Owensboro, KY a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

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

Where are the highest paying cities near Owensboro, KY?

Some top paying nearby cities include Evansville, IN ($32,430) and Bowling Green, KY.

How does the number of Cooks in Owensboro compare nationally?

Owensboro has a total local workforce of 430 Cooks, Restaurant, and the number of jobs per 1,000 workers is 8.92, which is close to the national average.

What is the impact of experience on a Cook's salary in Owensboro?

Experience significantly impacts salary. Entry-level cooks will earn less, while senior cooks with specialized skills and leadership experience can earn substantially more than the $30,800 average.

Is the job market for Cooks saturated in Owensboro?

With a Location Quotient of 0.95, the market is not significantly saturated or undersupplied, suggesting a balanced demand and supply for culinary professionals.

How does the Owensboro Cook salary compare to nearby cities?

While specific data for nearby cities isn't provided, the $30,800 average suggests that cooks in Owensboro may earn less than in larger metropolitan areas or regions with a higher cost of living and demand.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 430 employees in the Owensboro, KY area with a job density of 8.92 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 Owensboro, KY