Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Ocala, FL
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Ocala, FL metro area earn a median of $33,410 a year ($16.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,690 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 8% lower than the Florida statewide median of $36,250. There are 2.8 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Ocala, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,110 | $14.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,620 | $15.20 |
| Median | $33,410 | $16.06 |
| 75th percentile | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,690 | $18.60 |
| Average (mean) | $34,070 | $16.38 |
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 | $2,784.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,392.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,285 |
| Weekly | $642.50 |
| Hourly | $16.06 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $43,890 | 440 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $38,730 | 160 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $37,620 | 1,030 |
| Sebring, FL | $37,380 | 130 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $37,200 | 140 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $37,190 | 180 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $37,070 | 370 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $36,970 | 3,780 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $36,710 | 190 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $36,510 | 420 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $36,490 | 1,770 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $36,480 | 6,220 |
| Gainesville, FL | $36,400 | 330 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $36,250 | 1,580 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $35,940 | 160 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $35,890 | 390 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $35,680 | 170 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $35,610 | 680 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $35,040 | 4,220 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $34,810 | 1,080 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $34,710 | 370 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ocala, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,880 | $13.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $34,890 | $16.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,680 | $20.52 |
| Bartender | $29,620 | $14.24 |
| Dishwasher | $28,850 | $13.87 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,650 | $13.78 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,460 | $14.64 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,280 | $15.04 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $55,540 | $26.70 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Ocala, FL
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 Ocala, FL?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Ocala, FL metro area is $33,410 a year, or $16.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Ocala, FL?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Ocala, FL metro area earn at least $38,690 a year. The top 25% earn $35,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Ocala, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,110 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $31,620 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Ocala, FL?
About 340 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Ocala, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.