Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $42,430 +16.4% vs national
Median hourly $20.40
10th percentile $35,310
90th percentile $53,140
Employed locally 5,940
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
    $35,310
    25th
    $37,460
    50th (median)
    $42,430
    75th
    $46,840
    90th
    $53,140

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 34% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 66% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,280
    Waiters and Waitresses $38,440
    Cooks, Restaurant $42,050
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $47,550
    Bartenders $50,070
    Food Preparation Workers $36,220

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $20.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.91 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 16.4% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $35,310 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,460.