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 $4,179 more (12.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$38,684
$34,504
Average (Mean) Salary
$39,489
$35,344
Total Employment
441,040
132,800
States with Higher Pay
39
9
Salary by State: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Cooks, Short Order
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 39 states; Cooks, Short Order pays more in 9.
| State | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | Cooks, Short Order | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,120 | $22,330 | +$4,790 | ||
| Alaska | $48,580 | $37,780 | +$10,800 | ||
| Arizona | $39,660 | $46,630 | $-6,970 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,240 | $30,510 | $-270 | ||
| California | $46,390 | $42,930 | +$3,460 | ||
| Colorado | $42,500 | $42,450 | +$50 | ||
| Connecticut | $46,120 | $42,450 | +$3,670 | ||
| Delaware | $44,080 | $38,500 | +$5,580 | ||
| District of Columbia | $45,450 | $42,450 | +$3,000 | ||
| Florida | $36,250 | $34,240 | +$2,010 | ||
| Georgia | $35,090 | $26,870 | +$8,220 | ||
| Hawaii | $47,770 | $43,110 | +$4,660 | ||
| Idaho | $35,600 | $40,090 | $-4,490 | ||
| Illinois | $37,440 | $37,440 | $0 | ||
| Indiana | $35,980 | $21,940 | +$14,040 | ||
| Iowa | $35,810 | $34,090 | +$1,720 | ||
| Kansas | $31,950 | $27,400 | +$4,550 | ||
| Kentucky | $31,550 | $31,840 | $-290 | ||
| Louisiana | $25,490 | $26,260 | $-770 | ||
| Maine | $43,490 | $35,360 | +$8,130 | ||
| Maryland | $41,380 | $36,800 | +$4,580 | ||
| Massachusetts | $47,790 | $44,290 | +$3,500 | ||
| Michigan | $36,870 | $34,510 | +$2,360 | ||
| Minnesota | $43,460 | $32,150 | +$11,310 | ||
| Mississippi | $27,390 | $28,180 | $-790 | ||
| Missouri | $34,900 | $38,490 | $-3,590 | ||
| Montana | $37,150 | $33,240 | +$3,910 | ||
| Nebraska | $36,390 | $30,530 | +$5,860 | ||
| Nevada | $39,430 | $37,780 | +$1,650 | ||
| New Hampshire | $45,370 | $32,330 | +$13,040 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,520 | $40,720 | +$3,800 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,470 | $37,150 | $-680 | ||
| New York | $45,880 | $35,550 | +$10,330 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,140 | $31,290 | +$4,850 | ||
| Ohio | $36,720 | $29,290 | +$7,430 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,270 | $35,130 | $-5,860 | ||
| Oregon | $44,520 | $38,550 | +$5,970 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,540 | $19,910 | +$16,630 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,570 | $46,250 | +$320 | ||
| South Carolina | $34,960 | $29,640 | +$5,320 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,730 | $32,380 | +$4,350 | ||
| Tennessee | $35,570 | $30,210 | +$5,360 | ||
| Texas | $35,360 | $25,320 | +$10,040 | ||
| Utah | $38,200 | $38,010 | +$190 | ||
| Vermont | $46,370 | $38,830 | +$7,540 | ||
| Virginia | $37,890 | $31,200 | +$6,690 | ||
| Washington | $49,670 | $42,760 | +$6,910 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,740 | $27,440 | +$2,300 | ||
| Wisconsin | $38,650 | $28,130 | +$10,520 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Cooks, Short Order salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Cooks, Short Order?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns more than a Cooks, Short Order. The national median salary difference is $4,179 (12.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn more than a Cooks, Short Order?
A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns a higher median salary than a Cooks, Short Order in 39 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cooks, Short Order pays more in 9 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Cooks, Short Order?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $38,684 per year, compared to $34,504 for a Cooks, Short Order, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Cooks, Short Order?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria. BLS reports approximately 441,040 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions and 132,800 Cooks, Short Order positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Cooks, Short Order?
Both Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria and Cooks, Short Order 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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