Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Kansas
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kansas earn a median of $31,950 a year ($15.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,000 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $37,450. Kansas ranks 44th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 5.3 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,440 | $12.23 |
| 25th percentile | $28,840 | $13.86 |
| Median | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| 75th percentile | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Average (mean) | $32,990 | $15.86 |
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 | $2,662.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,331.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,228.85 |
| Weekly | $614.42 |
| Hourly | $15.36 |
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 Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,080 | 4,470 |
| Lawrence, KS | $36,080 | 180 |
| Manhattan, KS | $34,100 | 310 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $34,070 | 210 |
| Topeka, KS | $33,200 | 480 |
| Wichita, KS | $31,850 | 1,370 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $31,070 | 350 |
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 Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,280 | $14.56 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,400 | $13.17 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Bartender | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,110 | $13.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,300 | $12.65 |
| Dishwasher | $28,060 | $13.49 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,390 | $28.07 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kansas is $31,950 a year, or $15.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Kansas?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kansas earn at least $42,000 a year. The top 25% earn $36,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,440 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $28,840 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Kansas?
About 7,570 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.