Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Gainesville, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Gainesville, FL

Median annual salary $35,660 -2.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.14
10th percentile $27,660
90th percentile $46,510
Employed locally 310
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,660
    25th
    $30,540
    50th (median)
    $35,660
    75th
    $38,340
    90th
    $46,510

    Gainesville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $58,946 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 60% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 40% 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
    Flagstaff, AZ $41,240
    Naples-Marco Island, FL $40,880
    Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL $37,440
    Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL $37,310
    Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $36,970
    Sebring, FL $36,710

    Related occupations in Gainesville, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,580
    Waiters and Waitresses$28,720
    Cooks, Restaurant$35,130
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$38,530
    Food Preparation Workers$33,860
    Bartenders$29,870

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Gainesville, FL is $17.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.62 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Gainesville, FL is 2.2% 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 Gainesville?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $27,660 per year in Gainesville, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,540.