Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Traverse City, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Traverse City, MI

Median annual salary $37,490 +2.9% vs national
Median hourly $18.02
10th percentile $31,650
90th percentile $47,090
Employed locally 260
National median $36,450

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Traverse City, MI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,650
    25th
    $35,280
    50th (median)
    $37,490
    75th
    $39,170
    90th
    $47,090

    Traverse City economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,495 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 48% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 52% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $43,200
    Minnesota $42,180
    Ann Arbor, MI $40,330
    Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $40,150
    Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $39,360
    Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $39,220

    Related occupations in Traverse City, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,600
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,950
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,650
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,510
    Bartenders $44,520
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $30,270

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Traverse City, MI is $18.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.87 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Traverse City, MI is 2.9% 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 Traverse City?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $31,650 per year in Traverse City, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,280.