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Average Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

In Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, professionals in Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations earn an average annual salary of $31,960. This figure is slightly below the national average of $35,960, a common trend in regions with a cost of living that aligns with the national benchmark. Local economic factors and the specific demand within the food service industry contribute to this localized pay scale.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $31,960 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $45,250.
  • Outlook: The Scranton--Wilkes-Barre area supports a substantial workforce in Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations, with 20,580 individuals employed in this sector. The location quotient of 0.92 indicates that this industry is nearly as concentrated as the national average, suggesting a stable and consistent demand for these roles within the local economy. This robust workforce size points to a healthy job market with ongoing opportunities.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$31,960

The average Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA earns-11.1%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$15.4

Weekly

$615

Monthly

$2,663

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary Distribution in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Career progression within Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre typically leads to increased earning potential. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the salary spectrum, while experienced chefs, kitchen managers, and specialized roles command higher salaries. The percentile gaps in pay signify the value placed on experience, skill development, and leadership within the industry, offering a clear path for career advancement.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$20,790$10
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$23,970$11.5
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$29,110$14
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$39,950$19.2
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$45,250$21.8

Detailed Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$31,960

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$31,960

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $31,960 in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which represents the national average. This means that the nominal salary has a purchasing power equivalent to the national average, indicating that the cost of essential goods and services is neither significantly higher nor lower than the typical American city. Therefore, the stated salary offers a comparable standard of living to the national median.

Job Market Context

20,580

Total Jobs

80.963

Per 1K Jobs

0.92

Location Quotient

Below Average

Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA has 0.92x the national average concentration of Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 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 0.92, the job market for Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre is nearly on par with the national concentration. This suggests a competitive yet stable environment; while not significantly over-represented compared to other regions, the industry is well-established and provides consistent employment opportunities. Employers can expect a readily available pool of talent, and job seekers will find a market that reflects typical national demand.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

CitySalaryDist.
Binghamton, NY Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary$40,550↑ 27%50 mi
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary$34,320↑ 7%57 mi
Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary$40,530↑ 27%64 mi
Central East New York nonmetropolitan area Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary$42,460↑ 33%64 mi
Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary$40,530↑ 27%64 mi

Comparing salaries near Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

The median annual salary for a Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $31,960. This typically ranges from $20,790 for entry-level positions to $45,250 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is 11.1% lower than the national median of $35,960.

Is Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA a lucrative place for Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupationss?

No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.The average salary of $31,960 is below the national average, though the cost of living is also at the national average. This indicates that while the pay is standard, it doesn't offer a substantial financial advantage over other regions.

Is Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA a good place to live for Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations?

The Cost of Living Index in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Binghamton, NY ($40,550) and Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre is $31,960, which is $4,000 less than the national average of $35,960.

What is the cost of living in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

The Cost of Living Index for Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning it is neither significantly more nor less expensive to live there compared to the rest of the country.

How many people work in Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations in this area?

There are 20,580 individuals employed in Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA area.

Is the food service industry concentrated in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre?

The industry has a location quotient of 0.92, indicating it is slightly less concentrated than the national average, but still represents a significant portion of the local job market.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 20,580 employees in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA area with a job density of 80.963 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Semantic Salary Analysis for Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA