Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Modesto, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Modesto, CA

Median annual salary $43,740 +20% vs national
Median hourly $21.03
10th percentile $36,170
90th percentile $57,580
Employed locally 280
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
in
Modesto, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,170
    25th
    $38,250
    50th (median)
    $43,740
    75th
    $49,480
    90th
    $57,580

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 55% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 45% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $47,920
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $47,920
    Napa, CA $47,910
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,910
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $46,760

    Related occupations in Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $37,430
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,310
    Cooks, Fast Food $36,650
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,360
    Cooks, Restaurant $38,770
    Food Preparation Workers $36,320

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Modesto, CA is $21.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.74 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Modesto, CA is 20% 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 Modesto?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $36,170 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,250.