Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Hourly Pay

Median hourly wage: $18.01

Hourly Wage Percentiles

PercentileHourly Wage
10th$13.69
25th$15.60
Median$18.01
75th$21.54
90th$23.88

Data source: BLS OES national file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do cooks, institution and cafeteria make an hour?

The median hourly wage is $18.01; the mean hourly wage is $18.66.

What is the entry-level hourly pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn about $13.69 per hour — a common proxy for entry-level pay.

What is the top hourly pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria?

Workers at the 90th percentile earn about $23.88 per hour.