Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Bellingham, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bellingham, WA

Median annual salary $48,050 +31.8% vs national
Median hourly $23.10
10th percentile $38,520
90th percentile $59,250
Employed locally 250
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Bellingham, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,520
    25th
    $42,920
    50th (median)
    $48,050
    75th
    $50,640
    90th
    $59,250

    Bellingham economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,989 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 59% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 41% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    Washington $48,260
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $48,000

    Related occupations in Bellingham, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,680
    Waiters and Waitresses $46,100
    Cooks, Restaurant $41,240
    Food Preparation Workers $37,160
    Bartenders $47,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $47,900

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Bellingham?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Bellingham, WA is $23.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.70 or more per hour.

    Is Bellingham above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Bellingham, WA is 31.8% above the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Bellingham?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $38,520 per year in Bellingham, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,920.