Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Florida (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Florida Median
$36,250
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $37,450
State Rank
#34 of 51
25,100 employed here

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

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Florida take home a median of $36,250 annually — roughly $17.43 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $37,450.

Within Florida, entry-level pay starts around $31,650 while the top 10% make $46,520 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,480 and $39,840 a year.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary range in Florida

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,650$15.22
25th percentile (early career)$34,480$16.58
50th percentile (median)$36,250$17.43
75th percentile (experienced)$39,840$19.15
90th percentile (top earners)$46,520$22.37

How Florida compares

Florida ranks 34th 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 Florida

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 Florida pay ($36,250) 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 Florida?
The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Florida is $36,250 per year, or about $17.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,650 at the entry level to $46,520 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Florida pay compare to the national average?
Florida pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria about 3% less than the national median of $37,450. Florida ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Florida a good state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,250 a year. About 25,100 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are employed in Florida. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Florida?
The highest-paying occupations in Florida include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($473,750), Anesthesiologist ($465,370), Surgeon, All Other ($429,990), 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.