Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in California
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California earn a median annual wage of $46,390 —23.9% above the national median of $37,450. That ranks CA #6 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.61× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $49,670 | $23.88 | 9,780 | 0.97 |
| 2 | Alaska | $48,580 | $23.36 | 1,430 | 1.55 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $47,790 | $22.98 | 7,430 | 0.72 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $47,770 | $22.97 | 1,570 | 0.88 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $46,570 | $22.39 | 1,190 | 0.84 |
| 6 | California | $46,390 | $22.31 | 31,660 | 0.61 |
| 7 | Vermont | $46,370 | $22.29 | 1,330 | 1.55 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $46,120 | $22.17 | 4,500 | 0.94 |
| 9 | New York | $45,880 | $22.06 | 17,670 | 0.64 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $45,450 | $21.85 | 1,500 | 0.75 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $42,280 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,080 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,880 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,980 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $39,350 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $36,220 | $34,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeteria make in California?
The median annual wage for cooks, institution and cafeteria in California is $46,390, or $22.31 per hour. That is 23.9% above the national median of $37,450.
What is the entry-level cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $37,570 per year ($18.06/hour). The 25th percentile is $40,240.
How many people work as cooks, institution and cafeteria in California?
About 31,660 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for cooks, institution and cafeteria?
California ranks #6 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.61x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays cooks, institution and cafeteria the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $49,670 per year, followed by Alaska ($48,580) and Massachusetts ($47,790).