Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Utah
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Utah earn a median of $38,200 a year ($18.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,600 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $37,450. Utah ranks 23rd of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 3.2 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Utah
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| 25th percentile | $35,640 | $17.14 |
| Median | $38,200 | $18.36 |
| 75th percentile | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| Average (mean) | $39,570 | $19.02 |
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 | $3,183.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,591.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,469.23 |
| Weekly | $734.62 |
| Hourly | $18.36 |
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 Utah
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $39,870 | 1,900 |
| St. George, UT | $37,440 | 310 |
| Ogden, UT | $37,240 | 1,390 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $37,110 | 280 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $37,100 | 880 |
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 Utah
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,490 | $17.55 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,800 | $15.29 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $31,150 | $14.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,610 | $14.24 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,010 | $12.99 |
| Dishwasher | $31,830 | $15.30 |
| Bartender | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,060 | $28.39 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $37,180 | $17.87 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Utah
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 Utah?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Utah is $38,200 a year, or $18.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Utah?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Utah earn at least $48,600 a year. The top 25% earn $45,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Utah?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,870 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $35,640 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Utah?
About 5,610 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Utah, not counting the self-employed.