Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in East Kentucky

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $25,760 -29.3% vs national
Median hourly $12.38
10th percentile $22,500
90th percentile $32,720
National median $36,450

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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East Kentucky
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,500
    25th
    $23,510
    50th (median)
    $25,760
    75th
    $29,240
    90th
    $32,720

    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 East Kentucky

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,840
    Cooks, Fast Food$20,990
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$28,460
    Food Preparation Workers$21,780
    Waiters and Waitresses$18,830
    Cooks, Restaurant$28,370

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in East Kentucky is $12.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.65 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in East Kentucky is 29.3% 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 East Kentucky?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $22,500 per year in East Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,510.