Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Oklahoma
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Oklahoma earn a median of $29,270 a year ($14.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,670 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $37,450. Oklahoma ranks 48th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 6.3 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $30,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Oklahoma
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,620 | $10.39 |
| 25th percentile | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Median | $29,270 | $14.07 |
| 75th percentile | $35,160 | $16.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Average (mean) | $30,210 | $14.52 |
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 | $2,439.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,219.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,125.77 |
| Weekly | $562.88 |
| Hourly | $14.07 |
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 Oklahoma
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lawton, OK | $37,450 | 610 |
| Tulsa, OK | $30,750 | 2,450 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $30,540 | 3,040 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $29,380 | 560 |
| Enid, OK | $27,090 | 210 |
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 Oklahoma
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,540 | $13.72 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,430 | $11.27 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $17,910 | $8.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Bartender | $24,790 | $11.92 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,740 | $11.89 |
| Dishwasher | $27,390 | $13.17 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $28,490 | $13.70 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Oklahoma is $29,270 a year, or $14.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Oklahoma?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Oklahoma earn at least $38,670 a year. The top 25% earn $35,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Oklahoma?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,620 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $24,960 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Oklahoma?
About 10,790 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Oklahoma, not counting the self-employed.