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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$46,390
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.6% vs 2024
$47,900
Mean Salary
$46,390
Median Salary
$22.30
Hourly Rate
31,660 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California earn a median salary of $46,390 per year ($3,865/month).
This is 19.9% above the national average of $38,684.
California ranks #6 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 31,660 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 1.6% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Top Skills
Speaking
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Service Orientation
3.12
Operations Monitoring
3.12
Quality Control Analysis
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
3.6
Food Production
3.58
Customer and Personal Service
3.56
Mathematics
3.54
Administration and Management
3.34
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(71.1% of workers)
Salary Range: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California range from $37,570 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $59,630 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $40,240 and $52,060.
Median $46,390
P10: $37,570P25: $40,240P75: $52,060P90: $59,630
10th
$37,570
25th
$40,240
Median
$46,390
75th
$52,060
90th
$59,630
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$37,570
$18.06
$3,130
25th Percentile
$40,240
$19.35
$3,353
Median (50th)
$46,390
$22.30
$3,865
75th Percentile
$52,060
$25.03
$4,338
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$59,630
$28.67
$4,969
Note: The mean (average) salary of $47,900 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#6
California ranks #6 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in California?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California is $46,390 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $47,900.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California range from $37,570 at the 10th percentile to $59,630 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $40,240 and $52,060.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in California typically start around $37,570 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $40,240 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 31,660 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California is approximately $22.30 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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