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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Washington
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Washington?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$49,670
Median Annual Salary
▲
+2.9% vs 2024
$51,290
Mean Salary
$49,670
Median Salary
$23.88
Hourly Rate
9,780 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in Washington
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington earn a median salary of $49,670 per year ($4,139/month).
This is 28.4% above the national average of $38,684.
Washington ranks #1 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 9,780 people work in this occupation across Washington.
Salaries increased by 2.9% 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 Washington
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington range from $39,820 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $62,840 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $45,760 and $58,220.
Median $49,670
P10: $39,820P25: $45,760P75: $58,220P90: $62,840
10th
$39,820
25th
$45,760
Median
$49,670
75th
$58,220
90th
$62,840
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$39,820
$19.14
$3,318
25th Percentile
$45,760
$22.00
$3,813
Median (50th)
$49,670
$23.88
$4,139
75th Percentile
$58,220
$27.99
$4,851
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$62,840
$30.21
$5,236
Note: The mean (average) salary of $51,290 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#1
Washington ranks #1 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Washington?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington is $49,670 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $51,290.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington range from $39,820 at the 10th percentile to $62,840 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $45,760 and $58,220.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in Washington typically start around $39,820 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $45,760 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 9,780 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington is approximately $23.88 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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