Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Alaska
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Alaska earn a median of $48,580 a year ($23.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,710 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $37,450. Alaska ranks 2nd of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 4.4 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Alaska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,990 | $18.27 |
| 25th percentile | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| Median | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| 75th percentile | $53,470 | $25.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Average (mean) | $49,410 | $23.76 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,048.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,024.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,868.46 |
| Weekly | $934.23 |
| Hourly | $23.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Alaska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $49,340 | 170 |
| Anchorage, AK | $48,290 | 530 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
Related jobs in Alaska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,310 | $12.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Bartender | $30,460 | $14.65 |
| Dishwasher | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,210 | $14.52 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,090 | $18.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Alaska
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Alaska?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Alaska is $48,580 a year, or $23.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Alaska?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Alaska earn at least $58,710 a year. The top 25% earn $53,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Alaska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,990 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $45,740 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Alaska?
About 1,430 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Alaska, not counting the self-employed.