Average Cooks, Short Order Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan area, Cooks, Short Order earn an average annual salary of $31,220. This figure falls below the national average of $35,650, indicating a localized pay scale influenced by regional economic factors and labor market dynamics. The specific demand and supply of short-order cooks within this particular area contribute to this salary differential.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $31,220 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 25.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $36,190.
- Outlook: The job market for Cooks, Short Order in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, while not exceptionally concentrated, shows a steady presence with a total local workforce of 630 individuals in this role. The Location Quotient of 0.48 suggests that this occupation is less prevalent here compared to the national average, implying a potentially stable but not rapidly expanding demand. The number of jobs per 1,000 workers at 0.467 further reinforces the idea of a consistent, rather than booming, job environment for these professionals.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Short Order in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC earns-12.4%below the national average.
$15
$600
$2,602
Cooks, Short Order Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this role in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia is not provided, it is reasonable to assume a general upward trend in salaries for Cooks, Short Order over the past four years, mirroring national economic patterns. Factors such as inflation, increased demand for food services, and evolving labor market conditions typically drive modest annual salary increases across most professions, including those in the culinary sector.
Cooks, Short Order Salary Distribution in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Salary progression for Cooks, Short Order typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings, from the 25th to the 75th percentile and beyond, clearly signify career progression opportunities and the financial rewards associated with accumulating expertise and responsibility in this field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $26,000 | $12.5 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $23,415 | $11.3 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $31,210 | $15 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $39,025 | $18.8 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $36,190 | $17.4 |
Detailed Cooks, Short Order Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$31,220
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$31,220
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $31,220 for Cooks, Short Order in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that, on average, the purchasing power of this salary within the local area is comparable to the national average. While the nominal salary may appear lower than the national average for the role, the cost of living parity suggests that the take-home pay should offer a similar standard of living as elsewhere in the country.
Job Market Context
630
Total Jobs
0.467
Per 1K Jobs
0.48
Location Quotient
At 0.48x, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC has a notably lower concentration of Cooks, Short Order jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.
With a Location Quotient of 0.48, the market for Cooks, Short Order in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while the occupation is present, it is not a dominant industry sector within the region. Consequently, job seekers might find a moderate level of competition, with opportunities available but perhaps not an overwhelming abundance, making it a moderately competitive job market.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Short Order
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Cooks, Short Order Salary | $25,420↓ 19% | 45 mi |
| Spartanburg, SC Cooks, Short Order Salary | $29,370↓ 6% | 64 mi |
| Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Short Order Salary | $31,290↑ 0% | 65 mi |
| Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Short Order Salary | $24,850↓ 20% | 65 mi |
| Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Short Order Salary | $33,050↑ 6% | 65 mi |
Comparing salaries near Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Hiring Cooks, Short Orders?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Short Order make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Short Order in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $31,220. This typically ranges from $26,000 for entry-level positions to $36,190 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is 12.4% lower than the national median of $35,650.
Is Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC a lucrative place for Cooks, Short Orders?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $31,220 is below the national average of $35,650, although the cost of living is on par with the national average.
Is Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC a good place to live for Cooks, Short Orders?
The Cost of Living Index in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Some top paying nearby cities include Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC ($25,420) and Spartanburg, SC.
How does the local workforce size impact job availability for Cooks, Short Order in Charlotte?
A local workforce of 630 indicates a substantial number of individuals employed in this role, suggesting a consistent demand for short-order cooks within the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia area.
What does a Location Quotient of 0.48 mean for Cooks, Short Order in this region?
A Location Quotient below 1.0, such as 0.48, signifies that this occupation is less common in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia compared to the national average, implying a less saturated market relative to other professions.
How does the cost of living in Charlotte compare to the national average for Cooks, Short Order?
The Cost of Living Index is 100, meaning it is exactly average nationally. This suggests that the $31,220 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
What is the national average salary for Cooks, Short Order?
The national average annual salary for Cooks, Short Order is $35,650, which is higher than the average salary observed in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan area.
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC area with a job density of 0.467 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Cooks, Short Order Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- All Occupations Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Management Occupations Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Production Occupations Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Browse All Jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Short Order • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC