District of Columbia Median
$45,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $37,450
State Rank
#10 of 51
1,500 employed here
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in District of Columbia?
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in District of Columbia take home a median of $45,450 annually — roughly $21.85 an hour — which runs 21% above the national median of $37,450.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $38,740 while the top 10% make $55,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,980 and $46,950 a year.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,740 | $18.63 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,980 | $19.22 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,450 | $21.85 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,950 | $22.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,680 | $26.77 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other states
Washington $49,670Alaska $48,580Massachusetts $47,790Hawaii $47,770Rhode Island $46,570California $46,390Vermont $46,370Connecticut $46,120New York $45,880New Hampshire $45,370New Jersey $44,520Oregon $44,520Delaware $44,080Maine $43,490Minnesota $43,460Colorado $42,500Maryland $41,380Arizona $39,660North Dakota $39,490Nevada $39,430Wisconsin $38,650Utah $38,200Virginia $37,890Illinois $37,440Montana $37,150Wyoming $36,940Michigan $36,870South Dakota $36,730Ohio $36,720Pennsylvania $36,540New Mexico $36,470Nebraska $36,390Florida $36,250North Carolina $36,140Indiana $35,980Iowa $35,810Idaho $35,600Tennessee $35,570Texas $35,360Georgia $35,090South Carolina $34,960Missouri $34,900Kansas $31,950Kentucky $31,550Arkansas $30,240West Virginia $29,740Oklahoma $29,270Mississippi $27,390Alabama $27,120Louisiana $25,490
Working as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($45,450) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in District of Columbia is $45,450 per year, or about $21.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,740 at the entry level to $55,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria about 21% more than the national median of $37,450. District of Columbia ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,450 a year. About 1,500 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary report
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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.