Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Oklahoma (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Oklahoma Median
$29,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $37,450
State Rank
#48 of 51
10,790 employed here

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

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Oklahoma take home a median of $29,270 annually — roughly $14.07 an hour — which runs 22% below the national median of $37,450.

Within Oklahoma, entry-level pay starts around $21,620 while the top 10% make $38,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,960 and $35,160 a year.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary range in Oklahoma

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$21,620$10.39
25th percentile (early career)$24,960$12.00
50th percentile (median)$29,270$14.07
75th percentile (experienced)$35,160$16.90
90th percentile (top earners)$38,670$18.59

How Oklahoma compares

Oklahoma ranks 48th 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 Oklahoma

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 Oklahoma pay ($29,270) 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 Oklahoma?
The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Oklahoma is $29,270 per year, or about $14.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,620 at the entry level to $38,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Oklahoma pay compare to the national average?
Oklahoma pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria about 22% less than the national median of $37,450. Oklahoma ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Oklahoma a good state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $29,270 a year. About 10,790 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are employed in Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma?
The highest-paying occupations in Oklahoma include Surgeon, All Other ($553,790), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($530,070), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($370,260), 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.