Median Salary
$37,450
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$18.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$49,670
entry level starts ~$28,480
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 441,000 employed
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make?
The median pay for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the United States is $37,450 per year — about $18.00 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $28,480, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $49,670.
That is $23,940 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary range by percentile
Half of all Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn between $32,440 and $44,800 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,480 | $13.69 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $32,440 | $15.60 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,450 | $18.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $44,800 | $21.54 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,670 | $23.88 |
|
Highest-paying states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay at $49,670 a year, followed by Alaska ($48,580) and Massachusetts ($47,790). At the other end, Louisiana posts the lowest median at $25,490 — a gap of $24,180 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $36,720Pennsylvania $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
Workforce and education
About 441,000 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $38,810 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in the United States?
The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in the United States is $37,450 per year, or about $18.00 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $28,480, while the top 10% of earners make $49,670 or more.
How does Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria median of $37,450 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria the most?
Washington is the highest-paying state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, with a median salary of $49,670 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria need?
For most positions, no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria work in the United States?
About 441,000 people were employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.