Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Puerto Rico
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Puerto Rico earn a median of $26,260 a year ($12.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,650 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $37,450. There are 7.5 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Puerto Rico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $22,290 | $10.72 |
| Median | $26,260 | $12.62 |
| 75th percentile | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| Average (mean) | $28,030 | $13.47 |
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 | $2,188.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,094.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,010 |
| Weekly | $505 |
| Hourly | $12.62 |
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 Puerto Rico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ponce, PR | $28,540 | 640 |
| Aguadilla, PR | $26,260 | 390 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $26,260 | 4,460 |
| Arecibo, PR | $24,410 | 380 |
| Mayaguez, PR | $23,820 | 510 |
| Guayama, PR | $23,570 | 200 |
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 Puerto Rico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $24,650 | $11.85 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $22,400 | $10.77 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,640 | $10.88 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,500 | $10.82 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,030 | $10.59 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,790 | $10.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Bartender | $22,630 | $10.88 |
| Dishwasher | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $22,480 | $10.81 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,450 | $10.79 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $22,620 | $10.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Puerto Rico
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 Puerto Rico?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Puerto Rico is $26,260 a year, or $12.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Puerto Rico?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Puerto Rico earn at least $39,650 a year. The top 25% earn $29,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Puerto Rico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,840 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $22,290 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Puerto Rico?
About 7,000 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Puerto Rico, not counting the self-employed.