Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Worcester, MA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Worcester, MA

Median annual salary $44,870 +23.1% vs national
Median hourly $21.57
10th percentile $37,190
90th percentile $55,330
Employed locally 740
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Worcester, MA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,190
    25th
    $40,180
    50th (median)
    $44,870
    75th
    $48,940
    90th
    $55,330

    Worcester economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,561 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
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Barnstable Town, MA $47,420
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,910
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $46,760
    Massachusetts $46,280
    Yakima, WA $45,880

    Related occupations in Worcester, MA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,500
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,260
    Cooks, Restaurant $44,110
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,660
    Bartenders $34,430
    Food Preparation Workers $36,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Worcester, MA is $21.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.67 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Worcester, MA is 23.1% 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 Worcester?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $37,190 per year in Worcester, MA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,180.