Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Connecticut (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Connecticut, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Connecticut Median
$46,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $37,450
State Rank
#8 of 51
4,500 employed here

How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Connecticut?

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Connecticut take home a median of $46,120 annually — roughly $22.17 an hour — which runs 23% above the national median of $37,450.

Within Connecticut, entry-level pay starts around $38,380 while the top 10% make $56,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,960 and $48,990 a year.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary range in Connecticut

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,380$18.45
25th percentile (early career)$39,960$19.21
50th percentile (median)$46,120$22.17
75th percentile (experienced)$48,990$23.55
90th percentile (top earners)$56,570$27.20

How Connecticut compares

Connecticut ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$49,670
2Alaska$48,580
3Massachusetts$47,790
4Hawaii$47,770
5Rhode Island$46,570

Working as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Connecticut

Nationally, about 441,000 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Connecticut pay ($46,120) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Connecticut?
The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Connecticut is $46,120 per year, or about $22.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,380 at the entry level to $56,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Connecticut pay compare to the national average?
Connecticut pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria about 23% more than the national median of $37,450. Connecticut ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Connecticut a good state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Yes on pay — Connecticut pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,120 a year. About 4,500 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are employed in Connecticut. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Connecticut?
The highest-paying occupations in Connecticut include Cardiologist ($488,940), Anesthesiologist ($481,820), Orthodontist ($478,680), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary report

Related salaries

Cook, Short Order

$35,880
median pay · 139,000 employed

Cook, Fast Food

$30,890
median pay · 641,000 employed

Dishwasher

$34,810
median pay · 477,000 employed

Cook, Restaurant

$37,390
median pay · 1,410,000 employed

Food Server, Nonrestaurant

$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.