SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Worcester, MA

Cooks in Worcester, MA, earn an average annual salary of $42,910, which is notably higher than the national average of $37,700. This elevated compensation in Worcester can be attributed to a combination of local economic factors and the specific demand for culinary professionals within the city's vibrant restaurant scene.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $42,910 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $53,880.
  • Outlook: Worcester's culinary job market demonstrates a solid presence, with a local workforce of 2,560 Cooks, Restaurant. The location quotient of 0.77 suggests that while the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, the absolute number of jobs indicates a stable and consistent demand for kitchen talent within the city.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$42,910

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Worcester, MA earns+13.8%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$20.6

Weekly

$825

Monthly

$3,576

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Worcester, MA

Salary progression for Cooks in Worcester, MA, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks or those with specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this career advancement, rewarding accumulated expertise and responsibility within the kitchen.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$32,070$15.4
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$32,183$15.5
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$44,110$21.2
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$53,638$25.8
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$53,880$25.9

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$42,910

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$42,910

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $42,910 in Worcester, MA, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the nominal salary offers a purchasing power equivalent to the national standard, suggesting that the cost of essential goods and services in Worcester is neither a significant advantage nor a disadvantage for residents.

Job Market Context

2,560

Total Jobs

7.276

Per 1K Jobs

0.77

Location Quotient

Below Average

Worcester, MA has 0.77x 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.

With a Location Quotient of 0.77, Worcester's market for Cooks, Restaurant is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This indicates that while there is a healthy number of jobs available (7.276 per 1,000 workers), the field might not be oversaturated, potentially offering a balanced environment for job seekers and employers alike.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$45,620↑ 6%14 mi
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$41,550↓ 3%37 mi
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$42,420↓ 1%37 mi
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Cooks, Restaurant Salary$45,720↑ 7%37 mi
Springfield, MA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$42,140↓ 2%39 mi

Comparing salaries near Worcester, MA

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Worcester, MA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Worcester, MA is $42,910. This typically ranges from $32,070 for entry-level positions to $53,880 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Worcester, MA is 13.8% higher than the national median of $37,700.

Is Worcester, MA a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

Yes, Worcester, MA offers a competitive salary for Cooks, Restaurants.The average salary of $42,910 is above the national average, and with a Cost of Living Index of 100, it provides good purchasing power.

Is Worcester, MA a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

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

Where are the highest paying cities near Worcester, MA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area ($45,620) and Providence-Warwick, RI-MA.

How does the Worcester Cook salary compare to the national average?

Cooks in Worcester, MA earn an average of $42,910 annually, which is approximately $5,210 more than the national average of $37,700.

What is the concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in Worcester, MA?

Worcester has a Location Quotient of 0.77 for Cooks, Restaurant, indicating a slightly lower concentration of these jobs compared to the national average.

How does the Cost of Living in Worcester affect the Cook salary?

Worcester's Cost of Living Index is 100, matching the national average. Therefore, the $42,910 salary provides purchasing power equivalent to the national median.

What is the total number of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in Worcester, MA?

There are approximately 2,560 Cooks, Restaurant employed in Worcester, MA, representing 7.276 jobs per 1,000 workers.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,560 employees in the Worcester, MA area with a job density of 7.276 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 Worcester, MA