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 $6,498 more (20.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$38,684
$32,185
Average (Mean) Salary
$39,489
$32,829
Total Employment
441,040
477,420
States with Higher Pay
49
2
Salary by State: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Dishwashers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 49 states; Dishwashers pays more in 2.
| State | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | Dishwashers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,120 | $28,930 | $-1,810 | ||
| Alaska | $48,580 | $33,890 | +$14,690 | ||
| Arizona | $39,660 | $35,130 | +$4,530 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,240 | $27,540 | +$2,700 | ||
| California | $46,390 | $37,870 | +$8,520 | ||
| Colorado | $42,500 | $37,840 | +$4,660 | ||
| Connecticut | $46,120 | $35,550 | +$10,570 | ||
| Delaware | $44,080 | $35,780 | +$8,300 | ||
| District of Columbia | $45,450 | $38,670 | +$6,780 | ||
| Florida | $36,250 | $31,240 | +$5,010 | ||
| Georgia | $35,090 | $29,730 | +$5,360 | ||
| Hawaii | $47,770 | $37,740 | +$10,030 | ||
| Idaho | $35,600 | $29,920 | +$5,680 | ||
| Illinois | $37,440 | $36,180 | +$1,260 | ||
| Indiana | $35,980 | $29,480 | +$6,500 | ||
| Iowa | $35,810 | $29,300 | +$6,510 | ||
| Kansas | $31,950 | $28,060 | +$3,890 | ||
| Kentucky | $31,550 | $29,060 | +$2,490 | ||
| Louisiana | $25,490 | $26,440 | $-950 | ||
| Maine | $43,490 | $35,620 | +$7,870 | ||
| Maryland | $41,380 | $34,030 | +$7,350 | ||
| Massachusetts | $47,790 | $37,190 | +$10,600 | ||
| Michigan | $36,870 | $31,300 | +$5,570 | ||
| Minnesota | $43,460 | $34,060 | +$9,400 | ||
| Mississippi | $27,390 | $26,300 | +$1,090 | ||
| Missouri | $34,900 | $32,150 | +$2,750 | ||
| Montana | $37,150 | $30,130 | +$7,020 | ||
| Nebraska | $36,390 | $29,740 | +$6,650 | ||
| Nevada | $39,430 | $34,920 | +$4,510 | ||
| New Hampshire | $45,370 | $34,960 | +$10,410 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,520 | $35,900 | +$8,620 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,470 | $30,520 | +$5,950 | ||
| New York | $45,880 | $35,450 | +$10,430 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,140 | $30,340 | +$5,800 | ||
| North Dakota | $39,490 | $29,980 | +$9,510 | ||
| Ohio | $36,720 | $29,520 | +$7,200 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,270 | $27,390 | +$1,880 | ||
| Oregon | $44,520 | $36,040 | +$8,480 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,540 | $29,950 | +$6,590 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,570 | $33,960 | +$12,610 | ||
| South Carolina | $34,960 | $29,160 | +$5,800 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,730 | $28,190 | +$8,540 | ||
| Tennessee | $35,570 | $30,530 | +$5,040 | ||
| Texas | $35,360 | $29,610 | +$5,750 | ||
| Utah | $38,200 | $31,830 | +$6,370 | ||
| Vermont | $46,370 | $36,010 | +$10,360 | ||
| Virginia | $37,890 | $33,130 | +$4,760 | ||
| Washington | $49,670 | $40,080 | +$9,590 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,740 | $26,460 | +$3,280 | ||
| Wisconsin | $38,650 | $29,070 | +$9,580 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,940 | $29,600 | +$7,340 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Dishwashers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Dishwashers?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns more than a Dishwashers. The national median salary difference is $6,498 (20.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn more than a Dishwashers?
A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns a higher median salary than a Dishwashers in 49 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Dishwashers pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Dishwashers?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $38,684 per year, compared to $32,185 for a Dishwashers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Dishwashers?
There are more people employed as Dishwashers. BLS reports approximately 441,040 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions and 477,420 Dishwashers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Dishwashers?
Both Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria and Dishwashers 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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