Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Bellingham, WA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias in Bellingham, WA make a median of $48,050 a year, or about $23.1 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $59K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.33), that's roughly $46,502 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,794/month — about 51.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $48K get you in Bellingham?
About cooks, institution and cafeterias
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Bellingham, WA
Entry-level cooks, institution and cafeterias (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K.Top earners bring in $59K or more - a $21K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $48K | +32% | 10,210 |
| Hawaii | $47K | +30% | 1,270 |
| Alaska | $47K | +29% | 1,540 |
| Massachusetts | $46K | +27% | 7,510 |
| Connecticut | $46K | +26% | 3,630 |
| California | $46K | +25% | 27,320 |
| District of Columbia | $46K | +25% | 1,560 |
| Rhode Island | $45K | +25% | 940 |
| New Hampshire | $45K | +24% | 2,020 |
| New York | $45K | +24% | 16,980 |
| New Jersey | $44K | +21% | 7,290 |
| Delaware | $43K | +19% | 2,520 |
| Minnesota | $42K | +16% | 7,650 |
| Oregon | $42K | +15% | 7,010 |
| Vermont | $41K | +13% | 1,350 |
Track cooks, institution and cafeteria salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Bellingham numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeterias make in Bellingham, WA?
The median is $48,050 a year - that works out to about $23.1 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,520, and experienced cooks, institution and cafeterias can clear $59,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in Bellingham?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,387/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,794/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 53% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cooks, institution and cafeteria salary go in Bellingham?
Bellingham has a Regional Price Parity of 103.33 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary is worth about $46,502 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, institution and cafeterias get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.