Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Central Pennsylvania

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $33,240 -8.8% vs national
Median hourly $15.98
10th percentile $25,750
90th percentile $42,810
Employed locally 890
National median $36,450

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Central Pennsylvania
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,750
    25th
    $29,020
    50th (median)
    $33,240
    75th
    $37,510
    90th
    $42,810

    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

    Related occupations in Central Pennsylvania

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,840
    Waiters and Waitresses $27,920
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,210
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,930
    Bartenders $21,820
    Food Preparation Workers $27,730

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Central Pennsylvania is $15.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.59 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Central Pennsylvania is 8.8% below 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 Central Pennsylvania?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $25,750 per year in Central Pennsylvania. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,020.