Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Maine
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Maine earn a median of $43,490 a year ($20.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,700 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $37,450. Maine ranks 15th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 2.8 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| 25th percentile | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Median | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| 75th percentile | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,700 | $24.38 |
| Average (mean) | $43,520 | $20.92 |
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 | $3,624.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,812.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,672.69 |
| Weekly | $836.35 |
| Hourly | $20.91 |
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 Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $47,000 | 600 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $43,730 | 150 |
| Bangor, ME | $42,700 | 280 |
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 Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Bartender | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Dishwasher | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,680 | $18.11 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Maine
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 Maine?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Maine is $43,490 a year, or $20.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Maine?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Maine earn at least $50,700 a year. The top 25% earn $47,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,060 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $38,130 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Maine?
About 1,790 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.