Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Punta Gorda, FL
Cooks in Punta Gorda, FL earn an average annual salary of $36,730, slightly below the national average of $37,700. This marginal difference is often influenced by the specific economic landscape and demand dynamics within the local hospitality sector of Punta Gorda.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $36,730 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 26.8% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $44,910.
- Outlook: Punta Gorda boasts a robust local workforce of 990 Cooks, Restaurant professionals, significantly exceeding the national concentration with a Location Quotient of 1.88. This indicates a strong local demand and a higher prevalence of these roles compared to the rest of the country, suggesting a stable job market for culinary talent.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in Punta Gorda, FL earns-2.6%below the national average.
$17.7
$706
$3,061
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Punta Gorda's cook salaries isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume a general upward trend in compensation over the past four years, mirroring national patterns. Factors such as inflation, increased demand for dining services, and evolving culinary trends likely contribute to gradual salary growth in this sector.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Punta Gorda, FL
Salary progression for Cooks in Punta Gorda, FL, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with specialized skills and extensive experience can command significantly higher salaries, often 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) | $28,500 | $13.7 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $27,548 | $13.2 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $36,360 | $17.5 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $45,913 | $22.1 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $44,910 | $21.6 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$36,730
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$36,730
Adjusted for COL (100)
With an average annual salary of $36,730 and a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average, the nominal income in Punta Gorda, FL, offers purchasing power equivalent to the national standard. This means that the salary earned by cooks in Punta Gorda will generally cover living expenses at a comparable level to other areas across the United States.
Job Market Context
990
Total Jobs
17.676
Per 1K Jobs
1.88
Location Quotient
Punta Gorda, FL has 1.9x the national concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
The Location Quotient of 1.88 for Cooks, Restaurant in Punta Gorda, FL, signifies a market where these professionals are more than 1.8 times as common as the national average. This suggests a highly concentrated job market, indicating strong demand and potentially more opportunities for cooks compared to less concentrated areas.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $37,920↑ 3% | 14 mi |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $37,180↑ 1% | 18 mi |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $41,350↑ 13% | 54 mi |
| Sebring, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $33,570↓ 9% | 55 mi |
| North Florida nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $43,920↑ 20% | 64 mi |
Comparing salaries near Punta Gorda, FL
Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Punta Gorda, FL?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Punta Gorda, FL is $36,730. This typically ranges from $28,500 for entry-level positions to $44,910 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Punta Gorda, FL is 2.6% lower than the national median of $37,700.
Is Punta Gorda, FL a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.While the cost of living is on par with the national average, the average salary for Cooks, Restaurant is slightly below the national figure. However, the high concentration of jobs suggests ample opportunities.
Is Punta Gorda, FL a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in Punta Gorda, FL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Punta Gorda, FL?
Some top paying nearby cities include North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL ($37,920) and Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL.
What is the average salary for a Cook in Punta Gorda, FL?
The average annual salary for a Cook, Restaurant in Punta Gorda, FL is $36,730.
How does Punta Gorda's cost of living compare to the national average?
Punta Gorda's cost of living index is 100, which is exactly the national average, indicating a comparable cost of living.
Is there high demand for Cooks in Punta Gorda, FL?
Yes, the Location Quotient of 1.88 suggests a significantly higher concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in Punta Gorda compared to the national average, indicating strong local demand.
How many Cooks, Restaurant work in Punta Gorda, FL?
There are approximately 990 Cooks, Restaurant professionals employed in Punta Gorda, FL.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 990 employees in the Punta Gorda, FL area with a job density of 17.676 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 Punta Gorda, FL