Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in La Crosse, WI-MN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN

Median annual salary $37,210 +2.1% vs national
Median hourly $17.89
10th percentile $30,650
90th percentile $46,800
Employed locally 280
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
    $30,650
    25th
    $35,170
    50th (median)
    $37,210
    75th
    $42,150
    90th
    $46,800

    La Crosse economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,009 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 52% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 48% 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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $45,260
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $44,990
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $43,200
    Madison, WI $40,330
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $39,910
    Lewiston-Auburn, ME $39,380

    Related occupations in La Crosse, WI-MN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,580
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,960
    Bartenders $23,850
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,510
    Food Preparation Workers $33,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,890

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in La Crosse, WI-MN is $17.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.78 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in La Crosse, WI-MN is 2.1% 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 La Crosse?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $30,650 per year in La Crosse, WI-MN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,170.