Quick answer
The median annual wage for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the US was $37,450 in May 2025 (mean $38,810), with 441,050 people employed, per BLS. Among states, Washington paid the highest median ($49,670) and Louisiana the lowest ($25,490).
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| State | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 | $51,290 | 9780 |
| Alaska | $48,580 | $49,410 | 1430 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 | $48,750 | 7430 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 | $52,100 | 1570 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 | $46,620 | 1190 |
| California | $46,390 | $47,900 | 31660 |
| Vermont | $46,370 | $46,260 | 1330 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 | $46,320 | 4500 |
| New York | $45,880 | $46,850 | 17670 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 | $45,560 | 1500 |
| New Hampshire | $45,370 | $45,450 | 1720 |
| New Jersey | $44,520 | $44,110 | 7490 |
| Oregon | $44,520 | $45,220 | 7150 |
| Delaware | $44,080 | $42,720 | 2680 |
| Maine | $43,490 | $43,520 | 1790 |
| Minnesota | $43,460 | $43,050 | 7890 |
| Colorado | $42,500 | $43,690 | 9440 |
| Maryland | $41,380 | $42,750 | 3370 |
| Arizona | $39,660 | $41,350 | 7170 |
| North Dakota | $39,490 | $41,140 | 1820 |
| Nevada | $39,430 | $41,850 | 1650 |
| Wisconsin | $38,650 | $39,860 | 9890 |
| Utah | $38,200 | $39,570 | 5610 |
| Virginia | $37,890 | $39,500 | 11170 |
| Illinois | $37,440 | $39,210 | 22840 |
| Montana | $37,150 | $38,950 | 2290 |
| Wyoming | $36,940 | $37,620 | 1570 |
| Michigan | $36,870 | $37,370 | 13500 |
| South Dakota | $36,730 | $37,630 | 2120 |
| Ohio | $36,720 | $37,160 | 23440 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,540 | $36,950 | 24490 |
| New Mexico | $36,470 | $37,130 | 3160 |
| Nebraska | $36,390 | $37,310 | 4410 |
| Florida | $36,250 | $38,170 | 25100 |
| North Carolina | $36,140 | $36,130 | 11170 |
| Indiana | $35,980 | $35,910 | 11130 |
| Iowa | $35,810 | $35,260 | 8860 |
| Idaho | $35,600 | $36,160 | 3650 |
| Tennessee | $35,570 | $35,260 | 10680 |
| Guam | $35,540 | $32,050 | 100 |
| Texas | $35,360 | $34,870 | 24740 |
| Georgia | $35,090 | $35,380 | 8220 |
| South Carolina | $34,960 | $33,270 | 7850 |
| Missouri | $34,900 | $35,190 | 13130 |
| Kansas | $31,950 | $32,990 | 7570 |
| Kentucky | $31,550 | $33,790 | 11540 |
| Virgin Islands | $30,440 | $29,250 | 110 |
| Arkansas | $30,240 | $32,720 | 6530 |
| West Virginia | $29,740 | $31,470 | 4420 |
| Oklahoma | $29,270 | $30,210 | 10790 |
| Mississippi | $27,390 | $27,850 | 6420 |
| Alabama | $27,120 | $27,870 | 8780 |
| Puerto Rico | $26,260 | $28,030 | 7000 |
| Louisiana | $25,490 | $27,300 | 5740 |
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Last updated Oct 16, 2026, 10:42 PM ET. Data only, not financial or tax advice.