Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Valdosta, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Valdosta, GA

Median annual salary $28,370 -22.2% vs national
Median hourly $13.64
10th percentile $23,280
90th percentile $36,870
Employed locally 110
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
    $23,280
    25th
    $24,940
    50th (median)
    $28,370
    75th
    $33,670
    90th
    $36,870

    Valdosta economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $54,581 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 52% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 48% 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
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $38,570
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $38,220
    Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $36,980
    Gainesville, GA $36,950
    Sheboygan, WI $36,590
    Logan, UT-ID $36,210

    Related occupations in Valdosta, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,920
    Waiters and Waitresses$17,620
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$34,200
    Cooks, Restaurant$28,960
    Food Preparation Workers$29,090
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$23,730

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Valdosta, GA is $13.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.42 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Valdosta, GA is 22.2% below 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 Valdosta?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $23,280 per year in Valdosta, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,940.