Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Hattiesburg, MS

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hattiesburg, MS

Median annual salary $24,590 -32.5% vs national
Median hourly $11.82
10th percentile $19,920
90th percentile $36,950
Employed locally 370
National median $36,450

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $19,920
    25th
    $21,130
    50th (median)
    $24,590
    75th
    $30,620
    90th
    $36,950

    Hattiesburg economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,008 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 42% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 58% 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
    Williamsport, PA $35,400
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $30,330
    Gulfport-Biloxi, MS $28,400
    Jackson, MS $26,000

    Related occupations in Hattiesburg, MS

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $22,160
    Waiters and Waitresses $18,480
    Cooks, Fast Food $22,880
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $30,520
    Cooks, Restaurant $28,280
    Food Preparation Workers $27,100

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Hattiesburg, MS is $11.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.31 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Hattiesburg, MS is 32.5% 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 Hattiesburg?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $19,920 per year in Hattiesburg, MS. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,130.