Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in South Bend, IN-MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI

Median annual salary $37,270 +2.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.92
10th percentile $27,780
90th percentile $44,370
Employed locally 590
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
    $27,780
    25th
    $31,500
    50th (median)
    $37,270
    75th
    $43,170
    90th
    $44,370

    South Bend economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,385 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 57% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 43% 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 South Bend, IN-MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,790
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,510
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,160
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,460
    Bartenders $22,920
    Food Preparation Workers $30,340

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Bend, IN-MI is $17.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.98 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in South Bend, IN-MI is 2.2% 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 South Bend?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $27,780 per year in South Bend, IN-MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,500.