What Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria this way: "Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation"; "Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons"; "Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served"; "Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry"; "Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 454,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 466,600 in 2035, an increase of 12,600 jobs (+2.8%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 62,900 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 13.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $37,450, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn the most
Across the 8 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $36,995 in Pennsylvania to $46,428 in California, a gap of $9,434 (1.26 times). 5 of those 8 states average above the BLS national median of $37,450 and 3 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 31,060, which is 15.8% of the 196,790 counted across them. Indiana follows with 30,550.
Highest-paying states
California ($46,428), New York ($45,008) and New Jersey ($43,368) lead the ranking, while Pennsylvania ($36,995) and Illinois ($37,049) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria: pay against the cost of living
We compare 9 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $10,880. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $3,069 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 7 of the 9 markets and falls short in 2. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 44.4% and 86.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Cooks, Restaurant, Cooks, Short Order and Cooks, Fast Food belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (35-2000) include Food Preparation Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $37,450. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $36,995 to $46,428.
Which state pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $46,428. New York is next at $45,008.
Is Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 62,900 openings a year.
What education do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $10,880 on a median wage of $38,290.