Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary

United States, all industries · BLS OEWS 2025

National market range

$32K–$45K

Median

$37,450

25th percentile

$32,440

75th percentile

$44,800

$28K

10th

$32K

25th

$37K

Median

$45K

75th

$50K

90th

By state

State

Median

Range · 25th–75th

vs national

Alabama

$27,120

$22K–$33K

-28%

Alaska

$48,580

$46K–$53K

+30%

Arizona

$39,660

$37K–$46K

+6%

Arkansas

$30,240

$28K–$35K

-19%

California

$46,390

$40K–$52K

+24%

Colorado

$42,500

$38K–$48K

+13%

Connecticut

$46,120

$40K–$49K

+23%

Delaware

$44,080

$40K–$46K

+18%

District of Columbia

$45,450

$40K–$47K

+21%

Florida

$36,250

$34K–$40K

-3%

Georgia

$35,090

$30K–$38K

-6%

Guam

$35,540

$27K–$37K

-5%

Hawaii

$47,770

$41K–$59K

+28%

Idaho

$35,600

$31K–$39K

-5%

Illinois

$37,440

$35K–$43K

Indiana

$35,980

$31K–$38K

-4%

Iowa

$35,810

$31K–$38K

-4%

Kansas

$31,950

$29K–$36K

-15%

Kentucky

$31,550

$29K–$37K

-16%

Louisiana

$25,490

$22K–$30K

-32%

Maine

$43,490

$38K–$48K

+16%

Maryland

$41,380

$37K–$47K

+10%

Massachusetts

$47,790

$45K–$52K

+28%

Michigan

$36,870

$33K–$40K

-2%

Minnesota

$43,460

$38K–$47K

+16%

Mississippi

$27,390

$23K–$30K

-27%

Missouri

$34,900

$30K–$38K

-7%

Montana

$37,150

$34K–$43K

-1%

Nebraska

$36,390

$34K–$39K

-3%

Nevada

$39,430

$36K–$46K

+5%

New Hampshire

$45,370

$40K–$50K

+21%

New Jersey

$44,520

$38K–$48K

+19%

New Mexico

$36,470

$32K–$40K

-3%

New York

$45,880

$39K–$52K

+23%

North Carolina

$36,140

$31K–$40K

-3%

North Dakota

$39,490

$36K–$46K

+5%

Ohio

$36,720

$33K–$39K

-2%

Oklahoma

$29,270

$25K–$35K

-22%

Oregon

$44,520

$38K–$49K

+19%

Pennsylvania

$36,540

$31K–$41K

-2%

Puerto Rico

$26,260

$22K–$29K

-30%

Rhode Island

$46,570

$40K–$49K

+24%

South Carolina

$34,960

$29K–$37K

-7%

South Dakota

$36,730

$32K–$41K

-2%

Tennessee

$35,570

$30K–$39K

-5%

Texas

$35,360

$29K–$39K

-6%

the U.S. Virgin Islands

$30,440

$26K–$31K

-19%

Utah

$38,200

$36K–$45K

+2%

Vermont

$46,370

$42K–$49K

+24%

Virginia

$37,890

$35K–$44K

+1%

Washington

$49,670

$46K–$58K

+33%

West Virginia

$29,740

$28K–$36K

-21%

Wisconsin

$38,650

$36K–$44K

+3%

Wyoming

$36,940

$32K–$40K

-1%

Source: BLS OEWS, 2025 · Ranges are 25th–75th percentile of reported wages for the occupation code · All workers, regardless of gender.

Women are 55% of food preparation and serving occupations nationally, and earn 87¢ for every dollar men earn (U.S. Census ACS 2024; earnings full-time year-round). A market-based target is computed the same way regardless of gender — that’s the point.

More food preparation and serving occupations

Bartenders Chefs and Head Cooks Cooks, All Other Cooks, Fast Food Cooks, Private Household Cooks, Restaurant Cooks, Short Order Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers Dishwashers Fast Food and Counter Workers

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