Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Atlantic City, NJ

In Atlantic City, NJ, cooks in the restaurant industry earn a median annual salary of $40,440, or approximately $19.44 per hour. This figure is above the national median for cooks, which stands at $36,830. Despite earning more than their nationwide counterparts, these salaries fall significantly below the area's median household income of $80,600. The local unemployment rate is noted at 6.20%, indicating that while there are job opportunities available, competition exists within this market segment.

For entry-level cooks in Atlantic City, earnings begin around the 10th percentile with an annual salary of approximately $34,320, translating to roughly $16.50 per hour. In contrast, experienced workers can see their salaries reach up to the 90th percentile at about $49,510 annually, or near $23.80 per hour. The disparity between entry-level and seasoned cooks is primarily driven by factors such as experience, skill level, and job responsibilities. Experienced cooks often take on more complex tasks and may hold supervisory roles, which justify higher compensation compared to their less experienced peers.