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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Virgin Islands

Cooks in the Virgin Islands earn an average annual salary of $35,940, which is slightly below the national average of $37,700. This localized pay rate is influenced by the unique economic factors and operational costs inherent to island economies, including supply chain logistics and the demand within the hospitality sector.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $35,940 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 18.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $42,850.
  • Outlook: The Virgin Islands hosts a local workforce of 530 Cooks, Restaurant professionals, indicating a substantial presence within the region's employment landscape. With a Location Quotient of 1.71, the concentration of these roles significantly exceeds the national average, suggesting a robust demand and a specialized job market for culinary talent in this island territory.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$35,940

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Virgin Islands earns-4.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$17.3

Weekly

$691

Monthly

$2,995

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Virgin Islands

Career progression for Cooks, Restaurant professionals in the Virgin Islands typically sees a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks or chefs with specialized skills and extensive experience can command salaries considerably higher than the average. These percentile gaps highlight the clear career trajectory and earning potential within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$28,250$13.6
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,955$13
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$34,940$16.8
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$44,925$21.6
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$42,850$20.6

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$35,940

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$29,950

Adjusted for COL (120)

The average annual salary of $35,940 in the Virgin Islands must be considered alongside its Cost of Living Index of 120, which is 20% higher than the national average. This means that while the nominal salary is slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is further diminished by the elevated cost of goods and services on the islands.

Job Market Context

530

Total Jobs

16.068

Per 1K Jobs

1.71

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Virgin Islands has 1.7x 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.

A Location Quotient of 1.71 signifies that Cooks, Restaurant roles are 71% more concentrated in the Virgin Islands than the national average. This indicates a higher relative demand for these professionals within the local job market, suggesting that while the overall number of jobs might not be vast, the proportion of available positions to the general workforce is notably elevated, making it a specialized market.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR Cooks, Restaurant Salary$26,210↓ 27%76 mi
Guayama, PR Cooks, Restaurant Salary$25,130↓ 30%84 mi

Comparing salaries near Virgin Islands

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Virgin Islands?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Virgin Islands is $35,940. This typically ranges from $28,250 for entry-level positions to $42,850 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Virgin Islands is 4.7% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Virgin Islands a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not strictly lucrative based on nominal salary alone.While the concentration of jobs is high, the average salary of $35,940 is below the national average and the cost of living is significantly higher, reducing overall purchasing power.

Is Virgin Islands a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Virgin Islands is 120. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Virgin Islands?

Some top paying nearby cities include San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR ($26,210) and Guayama, PR.

How does the Virgin Islands compare to the national average salary for Cooks?

The average annual salary for Cooks in the Virgin Islands is $35,940, which is approximately $1,760 less than the national average of $37,700.

What is the Cost of Living in the Virgin Islands compared to the national average?

The Cost of Living Index in the Virgin Islands is 120, meaning it is 20% more expensive to live there than the national average, where the index is 100.

Is there high demand for Cooks in the Virgin Islands?

Yes, the Location Quotient of 1.71 suggests a higher concentration and relative demand for Cooks, Restaurant professionals in the Virgin Islands compared to the national average.

How many Cooks, Restaurant professionals work in the Virgin Islands?

There are approximately 530 Cooks, Restaurant professionals employed within the Virgin Islands.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 530 employees in the Virgin Islands area with a job density of 16.068 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 Virgin Islands