Pennsylvania Median
$36,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.57
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $37,450
State Rank
#31 of 51
24,490 employed here
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Pennsylvania?
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania take home a median of $36,540 annually — roughly $17.57 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $37,450.
Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $28,390 while the top 10% make $46,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,160 and $41,020 a year.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary range in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,390 | $13.65 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,160 | $14.98 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,540 | $17.57 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $41,020 | $19.72 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,380 | $22.30 |
|
How Pennsylvania compares
Pennsylvania ranks 31st 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 $45,370New 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 $36,720New 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 Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania pay ($36,540) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Pennsylvania is $36,540 per year, or about $17.57 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,390 at the entry level to $46,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria about 2% less than the national median of $37,450. Pennsylvania ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,540 a year. About 24,490 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.