New Jersey Median
$44,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $37,450
State Rank
#12 of 51
7,490 employed here
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in New Jersey?
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria working in New Jersey earn a median salary of $44,520 per year, or about $21.40 per hour. That is 19% above the national median of $37,450 for this occupation.
Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $35,500 while the top 10% make $53,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,590 and $48,090 a year.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary range in New Jersey
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,500 | $17.07 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,590 | $18.07 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,520 | $21.40 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $48,090 | $23.12 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,060 | $25.51 |
|
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks 12th 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 $45,880District of Columbia $45,450New Hampshire $45,370Oregon $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 New Jersey
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 New Jersey pay ($44,520) 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 New Jersey?
The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in New Jersey is $44,520 per year, or about $21.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,500 at the entry level to $53,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria about 19% more than the national median of $37,450. New Jersey ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,520 a year. About 7,490 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.