Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Connecticut
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Connecticut earn a median of $46,120 a year ($22.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,570 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $37,450. Connecticut ranks 8th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 2.7 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Median | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| 75th percentile | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,570 | $27.20 |
| Average (mean) | $46,320 | $22.27 |
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 | $3,843.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,921.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,773.85 |
| Weekly | $886.92 |
| Hourly | $22.17 |
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 Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $47,380 | 1,100 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $46,650 | 1,460 |
| New Haven, CT | $46,000 | 790 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $44,510 | 400 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $44,110 | 440 |
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 Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Cooks, All Other | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,940 | $25.45 |
| Bartender | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Dishwasher | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,310 | $30.92 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
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 Connecticut?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Connecticut is $46,120 a year, or $22.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Connecticut earn at least $56,570 a year. The top 25% earn $48,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,380 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $39,960 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Connecticut?
About 4,500 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.