Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Fairbanks, AK

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fairbanks-College, AK

Median annual salary $47,410 +30.1% vs national
Median hourly $22.80
10th percentile $38,330
90th percentile $58,870
Employed locally 110
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Fairbanks, AK
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,330
    25th
    $44,920
    50th (median)
    $47,410
    75th
    $51,490
    90th
    $58,870

    Fairbanks economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,722 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 56% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 44% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $47,920
    Anchorage, AK $46,750
    Yakima, WA $45,880
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $43,360
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $39,980
    West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $39,670

    Related occupations in Fairbanks, AK

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$30,390
    Cooks, Fast Food$35,950
    Waiters and Waitresses$27,040
    Food Preparation Workers$36,830
    Cooks, Restaurant$37,350
    Bartenders$29,820

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Fairbanks, AK is $22.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.11 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Fairbanks, AK is 30.1% 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 Fairbanks?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $38,330 per year in Fairbanks, AK. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,920.