Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Fort Wayne, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fort Wayne, IN

Median annual salary $35,010 -4% vs national
Median hourly $16.83
10th percentile $27,930
90th percentile $47,390
Employed locally 800
National median $36,450

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,930
    25th
    $29,900
    50th (median)
    $35,010
    75th
    $36,790
    90th
    $47,390

    Fort Wayne economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,378 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 50% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 50% 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
    Washington $48,260
    Bellingham, WA $48,050
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $46,380
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $45,790
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $45,690
    Salinas, CA $45,430

    Related occupations in Fort Wayne, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,770
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,170
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,550
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,990
    Bartenders $22,430
    Food Preparation Workers $30,510

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Fort Wayne, IN is $16.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.23 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Fort Wayne, IN is 4% 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 Fort Wayne?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $27,930 per year in Fort Wayne, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,900.