Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Lafayette, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN

Median annual salary $35,790 -1.8% vs national
Median hourly $17.21
10th percentile $28,020
90th percentile $42,790
Employed locally 290
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Lafayette, IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
in
Lafayette, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,020
    25th
    $30,420
    50th (median)
    $35,790
    75th
    $38,400
    90th
    $42,790

    Lafayette economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,895 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
    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 Lafayette, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,400
    Waiters and Waitresses $27,370
    Cooks, Restaurant $31,320
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,890
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $30,800
    Bartenders $22,540

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Lafayette, IN is $17.21, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.35 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Lafayette, IN is 1.8% 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 Lafayette?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $28,020 per year in Lafayette, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,420.