Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Portland, ME

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-South Portland, ME

Median annual salary $43,980 +20.7% vs national
Median hourly $21.14
10th percentile $36,170
90th percentile $51,240
Employed locally 680
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
in
Portland, ME
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,170
    25th
    $38,970
    50th (median)
    $43,980
    75th
    $46,850
    90th
    $51,240

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 50% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 50% 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
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $48,080
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $48,000
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $46,380
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $45,790
    Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area $45,740

    Related occupations in Portland, ME

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,150
    Waiters and Waitresses $45,010
    Cooks, Restaurant $46,960
    Food Preparation Workers $36,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $49,730
    Bartenders $51,180

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Portland, ME is $21.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.40 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Portland, ME is 20.7% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $36,170 per year in Portland, ME. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,970.