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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Virginia

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Virginia?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$37,890
Median Annual Salary
▲ +4.5% vs 2024
$39,500
Mean Salary
$37,890
Median Salary
$18.22
Hourly Rate
11,170 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in Virginia

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Virginia — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia.10thBottom 10% earn less than $30,000$30,00025th25% earn less than $34,920$34,920MedianHalf earn more than $37,890$37,89075th75% earn less than $44,460$44,46090thTop 10% earn more than $47,940$47,940

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia earn a median salary of $37,890 per year ($3,157/month). This is 2.1% below the national average of $38,684. Virginia ranks #24 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay. Approximately 11,170 people work in this occupation across Virginia. Salaries increased by 4.5% 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)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia

Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia range from $30,000 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $47,940 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $34,920 and $44,460.

Median $37,890
P10: $30,000 P25: $34,920 P75: $44,460 P90: $47,940
10th
$30,000
25th
$34,920
Median
$37,890
75th
$44,460
90th
$47,940
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $30,000 $14.42 $2,500
25th Percentile $34,920 $16.79 $2,910
Median (50th) $37,890 $18.22 $3,157
75th Percentile $44,460 $21.38 $3,705
90th Percentile (Experienced) $47,940 $23.05 $3,995

Note: The mean (average) salary of $39,500 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#24
Virginia ranks #24 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
-2.1%
vs. national average
Near Average

Similar Jobs That Pay More in Virginia:

What does this salary really buy? See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Virginia adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria take-home pay in Virginia after taxes →

Explore Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Data in Virginia

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary by State

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Virginia?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia is $37,890 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $39,500.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia range from $30,000 at the 10th percentile to $47,940 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $34,920 and $44,460.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in Virginia typically start around $30,000 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $34,920 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 11,170 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia is approximately $18.22 per hour.

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Data Source & Methodology

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.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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