Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Washington
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington earn a median of $49,670 a year ($23.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,840 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $37,450. Washington ranks 1st of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.8 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,820 | $19.15 |
| 25th percentile | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Median | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| 75th percentile | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Average (mean) | $51,290 | $24.66 |
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 | $4,139.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,069.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,910.38 |
| Weekly | $955.19 |
| Hourly | $23.88 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $51,620 | 240 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $51,530 | 5,380 |
| Bellingham, WA | $49,320 | 250 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $49,280 | 240 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $48,820 | 290 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $46,820 | 310 |
| Yakima, WA | $46,730 | 430 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $46,690 | 140 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $46,170 | 90 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $45,800 | 3,920 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $45,640 | 120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $45,330 | 750 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $37,500 | 140 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Cooks, All Other | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $56,130 | $26.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Bartender | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Dishwasher | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $76,010 | $36.54 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Washington is $49,670 a year, or $23.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Washington?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Washington earn at least $62,840 a year. The top 25% earn $58,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,820 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $45,760 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Washington?
About 9,780 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.