National Salary Overview
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Median Salary
$38,684
Average (Mean)
$39,489
Employed Nationwide
441,040
VS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns $1,000 more (2.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$38,684
$37,683
Average (Mean) Salary
$39,489
$38,385
Total Employment
441,040
1,409,810
States with Higher Pay
32
19
Salary by State: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Cooks, Restaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 32 states; Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 19.
| State | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | Cooks, Restaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,120 | $32,180 | $-5,060 | ||
| Alaska | $48,580 | $40,140 | +$8,440 | ||
| Arizona | $39,660 | $38,670 | +$990 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,240 | $30,180 | +$60 | ||
| California | $46,390 | $44,880 | +$1,510 | ||
| Colorado | $42,500 | $41,600 | +$900 | ||
| Connecticut | $46,120 | $39,480 | +$6,640 | ||
| Delaware | $44,080 | $37,840 | +$6,240 | ||
| District of Columbia | $45,450 | $46,130 | $-680 | ||
| Florida | $36,250 | $37,020 | $-770 | ||
| Georgia | $35,090 | $35,940 | $-850 | ||
| Hawaii | $47,770 | $45,420 | +$2,350 | ||
| Idaho | $35,600 | $36,440 | $-840 | ||
| Illinois | $37,440 | $37,580 | $-140 | ||
| Indiana | $35,980 | $35,170 | +$810 | ||
| Iowa | $35,810 | $35,670 | +$140 | ||
| Kansas | $31,950 | $35,130 | $-3,180 | ||
| Kentucky | $31,550 | $34,640 | $-3,090 | ||
| Louisiana | $25,490 | $29,050 | $-3,560 | ||
| Maine | $43,490 | $45,290 | $-1,800 | ||
| Maryland | $41,380 | $37,820 | +$3,560 | ||
| Massachusetts | $47,790 | $45,600 | +$2,190 | ||
| Michigan | $36,870 | $36,980 | $-110 | ||
| Minnesota | $43,460 | $38,590 | +$4,870 | ||
| Mississippi | $27,390 | $29,560 | $-2,170 | ||
| Missouri | $34,900 | $36,940 | $-2,040 | ||
| Montana | $37,150 | $38,060 | $-910 | ||
| Nebraska | $36,390 | $37,030 | $-640 | ||
| Nevada | $39,430 | $38,610 | +$820 | ||
| New Hampshire | $45,370 | $40,200 | +$5,170 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,520 | $38,460 | +$6,060 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,470 | $35,020 | +$1,450 | ||
| New York | $45,880 | $43,680 | +$2,200 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,140 | $35,400 | +$740 | ||
| North Dakota | $39,490 | $36,470 | +$3,020 | ||
| Ohio | $36,720 | $35,540 | +$1,180 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,270 | $31,720 | $-2,450 | ||
| Oregon | $44,520 | $43,100 | +$1,420 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,540 | $36,580 | $-40 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,570 | $36,510 | +$10,060 | ||
| South Carolina | $34,960 | $35,740 | $-780 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,730 | $36,220 | +$510 | ||
| Tennessee | $35,570 | $36,420 | $-850 | ||
| Texas | $35,360 | $34,760 | +$600 | ||
| Utah | $38,200 | $36,490 | +$1,710 | ||
| Vermont | $46,370 | $45,390 | +$980 | ||
| Virginia | $37,890 | $36,750 | +$1,140 | ||
| Washington | $49,670 | $46,800 | +$2,870 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,740 | $29,590 | +$150 | ||
| Wisconsin | $38,650 | $36,550 | +$2,100 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,940 | $36,830 | +$110 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Cooks, Restaurant salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Cooks, Restaurant?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns more than a Cooks, Restaurant. The national median salary difference is $1,000 (2.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn more than a Cooks, Restaurant?
A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns a higher median salary than a Cooks, Restaurant in 32 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 19 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Cooks, Restaurant?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $38,684 per year, compared to $37,683 for a Cooks, Restaurant, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Cooks, Restaurant?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Restaurant. BLS reports approximately 441,040 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions and 1,409,810 Cooks, Restaurant positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Cooks, Restaurant?
Both Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria and Cooks, Restaurant are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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