SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — West Delta Mississippi
West Delta Mississippi nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in West Delta Mississippi, MS is $27,900 a year, trailing the national median of $35,880 by 22.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in West Delta Mississippi, MS is $27,900 a year, trailing the national median of $35,880 by 22.2%. Half of workers earn between $22,310 and $30,050. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,810 and the ninetieth at $35,250.
Gulfport leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $28,520. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 271st of 303 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,810 | −39.2% |
| 25th | $22,310 | −37.8% |
| Median (50th) | $27,900 | −22.2% |
| 75th | $30,050 | −16.2% |
| 90th | $35,250 | −1.8% |
| Mean | $27,310 | −23.9% |
Other metro areas in Mississippi
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Delta Mississippi run 13.0% below the national average, so the median of $27,900 goes as far as $32,069 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$27,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,069US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $27,900 a year, 22.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,810 to $35,250 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Gulfport, at $28,520.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in West Delta Mississippi, MS?
The median annual wage is $27,900, or $13.42 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,880, so pay in West Delta Mississippi, MS is 22.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in West Delta Mississippi, MS earns more than $35,250 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,810 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Gulfport, at $28,520 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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