Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in California
Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias in California make a median of $45,680 a year, or about $21.96 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $60K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $46K get you in California?
About cooks, institution and cafeterias
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level cooks, institution and cafeterias (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K.Top earners bring in $60K or more - a $23K 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 California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeterias make in California?
The median is $45,680 a year - that works out to about $21.96 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,710, and experienced cooks, institution and cafeterias can clear $59,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,143/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 70% 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 California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary is worth about $45,680 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.