Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Olympia, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

Median annual salary $47,700 +30.9% vs national
Median hourly $22.93
10th percentile $39,500
90th percentile $59,720
Employed locally 270
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Olympia, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,500
    25th
    $43,630
    50th (median)
    $47,700
    75th
    $53,810
    90th
    $59,720

    Olympia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 51% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 49% 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
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    Washington $48,260
    Bellingham, WA $48,050

    Related occupations in Olympia, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,710
    Waiters and Waitresses $46,280
    Cooks, Restaurant $39,170
    Food Preparation Workers $37,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $48,030
    Bartenders $46,020

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Olympia, WA is $22.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.43 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Olympia, WA is 30.9% 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 Olympia?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $39,500 per year in Olympia, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,630.