SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Texarkana, TX-AR

Cooks in Texarkana, TX-AR earn an average annual salary of $29,510, which is notably below the national average of $37,700. This disparity is often influenced by local economic factors, including the overall demand for culinary services and the prevailing wage scales within the region's specific labor market.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $29,510 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 24.7% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $35,900.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 630 Cooks, Restaurant, and a Location Quotient of 1.16, Texarkana exhibits a slightly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average. This suggests a stable, albeit not booming, demand for culinary professionals within the area, indicating a consistent job market for those in this profession.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$29,510

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Texarkana, TX-AR earns-21.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$14.2

Weekly

$568

Monthly

$2,459

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Texarkana, TX-AR

Salary progression for Cooks in Texarkana, TX-AR, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions might hover around the lower percentiles, while seasoned chefs with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries in the higher percentiles. The gap between the 25th and 75th percentile salaries signifies the potential for career advancement and increased earning power as one gains expertise.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,810$11
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$22,133$10.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$29,000$13.9
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$36,888$17.7
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$35,900$17.3

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$29,510

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$29,510

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $29,510 in Texarkana, TX-AR, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary locally is equivalent to the national standard, making the effective income comparable in terms of daily expenses.

Job Market Context

630

Total Jobs

10.955

Per 1K Jobs

1.16

Location Quotient

Above Average

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

A Location Quotient of 1.16 indicates that Texarkana, TX-AR, has a slightly higher concentration of Cooks, Restaurant, jobs relative to its overall workforce when compared to the national average. This suggests a moderately competitive market where demand is present and slightly more pronounced than in a typical U.S. city, potentially offering more opportunities than a location with a lower LQ.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

Comparing salaries near Texarkana, TX-AR

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Texarkana, TX-AR?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Texarkana, TX-AR is $29,510. This typically ranges from $22,810 for entry-level positions to $35,900 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Texarkana, TX-AR is 21.7% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Texarkana, TX-AR a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.While the cost of living is average, the average salary for Cooks in Texarkana is significantly lower than the national average, indicating less lucrative earning potential in this specific role.

Is Texarkana, TX-AR a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Texarkana, TX-AR is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Texarkana, TX-AR?

Some top paying nearby cities include Shreveport-Bossier City, LA ($28,960) and Longview, TX.

How does Texarkana's Cook salary compare to the national average?

Cooks in Texarkana, TX-AR, earn an average of $29,510 annually, which is considerably less than the national average of $37,700.

What is the Cost of Living in Texarkana, TX-AR?

Texarkana, TX-AR, has a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning everyday expenses are neither cheaper nor more expensive than the typical U.S. city.

How many Cooks are employed in Texarkana, TX-AR?

There are approximately 630 Cooks employed in Texarkana, TX-AR, representing about 10.955 jobs per 1,000 workers in the local economy.

Is the job market for Cooks strong in Texarkana, TX-AR?

The market shows a slightly higher concentration of Cooks than the national average (LQ of 1.16), suggesting a stable demand, but the lower average salary indicates it may not be a high-growth or exceptionally robust market for earning potential.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 630 employees in the Texarkana, TX-AR area with a job density of 10.955 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.