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 $5,088 more (15.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$38,684
$33,595
Average (Mean) Salary
$39,489
$34,727
Total Employment
441,040
893,600
States with Higher Pay
49
2
Salary by State: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Food Preparation Workers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 49 states; Food Preparation Workers pays more in 2.
| State | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | Food Preparation Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,120 | $27,930 | $-810 | ||
| Alaska | $48,580 | $35,720 | +$12,860 | ||
| Arizona | $39,660 | $36,750 | +$2,910 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,240 | $27,660 | +$2,580 | ||
| California | $46,390 | $39,350 | +$7,040 | ||
| Colorado | $42,500 | $38,960 | +$3,540 | ||
| Connecticut | $46,120 | $36,650 | +$9,470 | ||
| Delaware | $44,080 | $35,930 | +$8,150 | ||
| District of Columbia | $45,450 | $39,600 | +$5,850 | ||
| Florida | $36,250 | $35,920 | +$330 | ||
| Georgia | $35,090 | $35,250 | $-160 | ||
| Hawaii | $47,770 | $38,160 | +$9,610 | ||
| Idaho | $35,600 | $31,510 | +$4,090 | ||
| Illinois | $37,440 | $34,850 | +$2,590 | ||
| Indiana | $35,980 | $29,700 | +$6,280 | ||
| Iowa | $35,810 | $30,360 | +$5,450 | ||
| Kansas | $31,950 | $30,280 | +$1,670 | ||
| Kentucky | $31,550 | $26,850 | +$4,700 | ||
| Louisiana | $25,490 | $23,620 | +$1,870 | ||
| Maine | $43,490 | $36,030 | +$7,460 | ||
| Maryland | $41,380 | $35,500 | +$5,880 | ||
| Massachusetts | $47,790 | $38,900 | +$8,890 | ||
| Michigan | $36,870 | $31,180 | +$5,690 | ||
| Minnesota | $43,460 | $34,850 | +$8,610 | ||
| Mississippi | $27,390 | $26,240 | +$1,150 | ||
| Missouri | $34,900 | $31,510 | +$3,390 | ||
| Montana | $37,150 | $33,860 | +$3,290 | ||
| Nebraska | $36,390 | $35,210 | +$1,180 | ||
| Nevada | $39,430 | $33,460 | +$5,970 | ||
| New Hampshire | $45,370 | $36,780 | +$8,590 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,520 | $35,540 | +$8,980 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,470 | $33,370 | +$3,100 | ||
| New York | $45,880 | $35,610 | +$10,270 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,140 | $30,260 | +$5,880 | ||
| North Dakota | $39,490 | $36,800 | +$2,690 | ||
| Ohio | $36,720 | $34,530 | +$2,190 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,270 | $28,540 | +$730 | ||
| Oregon | $44,520 | $37,450 | +$7,070 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,540 | $30,840 | +$5,700 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,570 | $35,470 | +$11,100 | ||
| South Carolina | $34,960 | $32,180 | +$2,780 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,730 | $30,430 | +$6,300 | ||
| Tennessee | $35,570 | $28,700 | +$6,870 | ||
| Texas | $35,360 | $30,650 | +$4,710 | ||
| Utah | $38,200 | $33,540 | +$4,660 | ||
| Vermont | $46,370 | $36,550 | +$9,820 | ||
| Virginia | $37,890 | $34,900 | +$2,990 | ||
| Washington | $49,670 | $40,910 | +$8,760 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,740 | $28,360 | +$1,380 | ||
| Wisconsin | $38,650 | $34,070 | +$4,580 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,940 | $36,110 | +$830 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Food Preparation Workers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Food Preparation Workers?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns more than a Food Preparation Workers. The national median salary difference is $5,088 (15.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn more than a Food Preparation Workers?
A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns a higher median salary than a Food Preparation Workers in 49 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Preparation Workers pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Food Preparation Workers?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $38,684 per year, compared to $33,595 for a Food Preparation Workers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Food Preparation Workers?
There are more people employed as Food Preparation Workers. BLS reports approximately 441,040 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions and 893,600 Food Preparation Workers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Food Preparation Workers?
Both Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria and Food Preparation Workers 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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