Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Learn more
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in New Jersey
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in New Jersey?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$44,520
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.1% vs 2024
$44,110
Mean Salary
$44,520
Median Salary
$21.40
Hourly Rate
7,490 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in New Jersey
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey earn a median salary of $44,520 per year ($3,710/month).
This is 15.1% above the national average of $38,684.
New Jersey ranks #12 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 7,490 people work in this occupation across New Jersey.
Salaries increased by 1.1% 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 New Jersey
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey range from $35,500 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $53,060 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $37,590 and $48,090.
Median $44,520
P10: $35,500P25: $37,590P75: $48,090P90: $53,060
10th
$35,500
25th
$37,590
Median
$44,520
75th
$48,090
90th
$53,060
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$35,500
$17.07
$2,958
25th Percentile
$37,590
$18.07
$3,132
Median (50th)
$44,520
$21.40
$3,710
75th Percentile
$48,090
$23.12
$4,007
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$53,060
$25.51
$4,421
Note: The mean (average) salary of $44,110 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#12
New Jersey ranks #12 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in New Jersey?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey is $44,520 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $44,110.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey range from $35,500 at the 10th percentile to $53,060 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $37,590 and $48,090.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in New Jersey typically start around $35,500 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $37,590 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 7,490 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey is approximately $21.40 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.
We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze site traffic, and serve relevant ads.
You can choose which categories to allow. For details, see our
Privacy Policy and
Cookie List.