Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Cooks in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area earn an average annual salary of $37,110. This figure is slightly below the national average of $37,700, indicating a minor disparity in compensation within this specific metropolitan region. Local economic factors and the overall demand for culinary professionals likely influence this pay scale.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $37,110 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 20.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $45,890.
- Outlook: With a substantial local workforce of 24,790 Cooks, Restaurant professionals, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area demonstrates a significant presence in this sector. The Location Quotient of 0.92 suggests that the concentration of these jobs is nearly on par with the national average, indicating a stable and robust job market with consistent demand for culinary talent.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns-1.6%below the national average.
$17.8
$714
$3,093
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Cooks, Restaurant professionals in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area have experienced a steady upward trend over the past four years, mirroring national wage growth patterns. This growth is typically driven by inflation, increasing demand for skilled labor, and evolving dining trends.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant roles in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington typically correlates with experience and skill specialization. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with extensive experience and specialized culinary expertise can command significantly higher salaries, reflected in the upper percentiles of the salary distribution.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $23,810 | $11.4 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $27,833 | $13.4 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $37,040 | $17.8 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $46,388 | $22.3 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $45,890 | $22.1 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$37,110
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$37,110
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $37,110 in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington aligns perfectly with the national Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a cook's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the nominal wage effectively covers the standard cost of living without significant surplus or deficit.
Job Market Context
24,790
Total Jobs
8.641
Per 1K Jobs
0.92
Location Quotient
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has 0.92x 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 0.92 for Cooks, Restaurant in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington indicates that the job market is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This suggests a healthy level of competition among employers for talent, without an overwhelming surplus of available positions, making it a moderately competitive market for job seekers.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $39,540↑ 7% | 28 mi |
| Vineland, NJ Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $38,980↑ 5% | 35 mi |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $35,920↓ 3% | 47 mi |
| Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $36,980↓ 0% | 47 mi |
| Reading, PA Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $33,820↓ 9% | 48 mi |
Comparing salaries near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $37,110. This typically ranges from $23,810 for entry-level positions to $45,890 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 1.6% lower than the national median of $37,700.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.The average salary of $37,110 is slightly below the national average, and the cost of living is exactly at the national average, offering no significant financial advantage.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
Some top paying nearby cities include Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($39,540) and Vineland, NJ.
What is the average salary for a Cook in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
The average annual salary for a Cook in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area is $37,110.
How does the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington salary compare to the national average?
The average salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington ($37,110) is slightly lower than the national average salary of $37,700 for Cooks.
What does a Location Quotient of 0.92 mean for Cooks in this area?
A Location Quotient of 0.92 indicates that the concentration of Cooks jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is slightly below the national average, suggesting a stable but not exceptionally high demand relative to other professions.
How does the cost of living affect the Cook salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local salary of $37,110 has the same purchasing power as the national average salary, meaning the cost of living does not inflate or deflate the perceived value of the salary.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 24,790 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 8.641 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD