Average Cooks, Short Order Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Short Order Cooks in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area earn an average annual salary of $41,670. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $35,650, indicating a robust local demand for these culinary professionals. The higher compensation in this metropolitan area is often attributed to the higher operational costs and the dynamic, competitive food service industry prevalent in Southern California.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $41,670 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 32.8% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $49,320.
- Outlook: The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area boasts a substantial workforce of 15,400 Short Order Cooks. Coupled with a Location Quotient of 2.55, this signifies a concentration of these roles that is more than double the national average. This high concentration suggests a strong and persistent demand for skilled cooks, indicating a healthy and robust job market for this profession within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Short Order in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA earns+16.9%above the national average.
$20
$801
$3,473
Cooks, Short Order Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Short Order Cooks in a major metropolitan area like Los Angeles have experienced steady growth over the past four years. Factors such as inflation, increasing demand for dining services, and a competitive labor market typically drive upward salary trends for essential roles in the food service industry.
Cooks, Short Order Salary Distribution in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Salary progression for Short Order Cooks is typically tied to experience and skill development. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience, specialized skills, or supervisory responsibilities can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in salary data reflect this career trajectory, with senior cooks earning substantially more than their less experienced counterparts.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $35,760 | $17.2 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $31,253 | $15 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $39,010 | $18.8 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $52,088 | $25 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $49,320 | $23.7 |
Detailed Cooks, Short Order Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$41,670
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$41,670
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $41,670 for Short Order Cooks in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is comparable to the national average, as the cost of goods and services locally is not elevated beyond the national benchmark.
Job Market Context
15,400
Total Jobs
2.484
Per 1K Jobs
2.55
Location Quotient
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA has 2.5x the national concentration of Cooks, Short Order jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a Location Quotient of 2.55, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area exhibits a significantly higher concentration of Short Order Cooks compared to the national average. This suggests that the job market is not only abundant with opportunities but also highly competitive, as there are proportionally more cooks seeking employment relative to the national landscape.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Short Order
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Cooks, Short Order Salary | $37,250↓ 11% | 49 mi |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA Cooks, Short Order Salary | $38,930↓ 7% | 55 mi |
Comparing salaries near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Hiring Cooks, Short Orders?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Short Order make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Short Order in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $41,670. This typically ranges from $35,760 for entry-level positions to $49,320 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is 16.9% higher than the national median of $35,650.
Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA a lucrative place for Cooks, Short Orders?
Yes, it is a more lucrative place for Short Order Cooks.Short Order Cooks in this area earn approximately $6,000 more annually than the national average. Furthermore, the cost of living is on par with the national average, meaning the higher salary offers greater relative purchasing power.
Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA a good place to live for Cooks, Short Orders?
The Cost of Living Index in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($37,250) and Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA.
How does the number of jobs per 1,000 workers compare nationally?
The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area has 2.484 jobs per 1,000 workers for Short Order Cooks, which is considerably higher than the national average, indicating a strong local job market density.
What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) for this role?
An LQ of 2.55 means that Short Order Cooks are more than 2.5 times more concentrated in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim than in the average U.S. location, signaling high demand and a specialized labor market.
Does the cost of living impact the perceived value of the salary?
No, the cost of living in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim is exactly at the national average (100). Therefore, the higher nominal salary translates directly to comparable or slightly better purchasing power than the national average.
How many Short Order Cooks are employed in this metropolitan area?
There are approximately 15,400 Short Order Cooks employed within the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metropolitan area, representing a significant portion of the local food service workforce.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 15,400 employees in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area with a job density of 2.484 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- All Occupations Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Healthcare Support Occupations Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Management Occupations Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Browse All Jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Short Order • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA