Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Appleton, WI
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $38,110 a year ($18.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,830 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 1% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $38,650. There are 2.7 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| 25th percentile | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Median | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| 75th percentile | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Average (mean) | $38,940 | $18.72 |
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 | $3,175.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,587.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,465.77 |
| Weekly | $732.88 |
| Hourly | $18.32 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $44,830 | 4,490 |
| Madison, WI | $42,960 | 1,030 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $40,300 | 530 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $39,050 | 310 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $38,980 | 2,710 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $38,880 | 250 |
| Green Bay, WI | $38,640 | 480 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $38,530 | 240 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $38,440 | 210 |
| Wausau, WI | $38,170 | 160 |
| Kenosha, WI | $38,150 | 240 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $37,990 | 330 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $37,470 | 210 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $37,200 | 170 |
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 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,060 | $16.37 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,050 | $13.97 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,010 | $13.95 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| Bartender | $23,330 | $11.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,820 | $12.90 |
| Dishwasher | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,200 | $29.90 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
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 Appleton, WI?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Appleton, WI metro area is $38,110 a year, or $18.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $45,830 a year. The top 25% earn $43,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,800 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $36,120 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Appleton, WI?
About 340 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.