Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in New Jersey
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey earn a median annual wage of $44,520 —18.9% above the national median of $37,450. That ranks NJ #13 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 0.62× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in New Jersey.
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Occupations in the same job family, compared within New Jersey.
| Occupation | New Jersey median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,150 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,960 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,460 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,420 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,540 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $44,020 | $34,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeteria make in New Jersey?
The median annual wage for cooks, institution and cafeteria in New Jersey is $44,520, or $21.40 per hour. That is 18.9% above the national median of $37,450.
What is the entry-level cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in New Jersey?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $35,500 per year ($17.07/hour). The 25th percentile is $37,590.
How many people work as cooks, institution and cafeteria in New Jersey?
About 7,490 people work in this occupation in New Jersey, or 1.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is New Jersey a good state for cooks, institution and cafeteria?
New Jersey ranks #13 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.62x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in New Jersey.
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).