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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Pennsylvania
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Pennsylvania?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$36,540
Median Annual Salary
▼
-0.8% vs 2024
$36,950
Mean Salary
$36,540
Median Salary
$17.57
Hourly Rate
24,490 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in Pennsylvania
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $36,540 per year ($3,045/month).
This is 5.5% below the national average of $38,684.
Pennsylvania ranks #31 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 24,490 people work in this occupation across Pennsylvania.
Salaries decreased by 0.8% 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 Pennsylvania
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania range from $28,390 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $46,380 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $31,160 and $41,020.
Median $36,540
P10: $28,390P25: $31,160P75: $41,020P90: $46,380
10th
$28,390
25th
$31,160
Median
$36,540
75th
$41,020
90th
$46,380
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$28,390
$13.65
$2,365
25th Percentile
$31,160
$14.98
$2,596
Median (50th)
$36,540
$17.57
$3,045
75th Percentile
$41,020
$19.72
$3,418
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$46,380
$22.30
$3,865
Note: The mean (average) salary of $36,950 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#31
Pennsylvania ranks #31 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania is $36,540 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $36,950.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania range from $28,390 at the 10th percentile to $46,380 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $31,160 and $41,020.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in Pennsylvania typically start around $28,390 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $31,160 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 24,490 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania is approximately $17.57 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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