Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Pennsylvania
Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias in Pennsylvania make a median of $36,830 a year, or about $17.71 an hour. The range runs from $28K at the entry level to $46K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $37K get you in Pennsylvania?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level cooks, institution and cafeterias (10th percentile) start around $28K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K. Top earners bring in $46K or more, a $17K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by metro in Pennsylvania
16 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $39K | +6% | 9,130 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $38K | +4% | 1,820 |
| State College | $37K | +2% | 280 |
| Lancaster | $37K | +2% | 1,060 |
| Gettysburg | $37K | +1% | 170 |
| Pittsburgh | $37K | -0% | 4,770 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $37K | -1% | 1,190 |
| York-Hanover | $36K | -2% | 810 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $36K | -3% | 1,040 |
| Reading | $36K | -3% | 830 |
| Chambersburg | $36K | -3% | 190 |
| Lebanon | $36K | -3% | 300 |
| Erie | $36K | -3% | 570 |
| Williamsport | $35K | -4% | 170 |
| Altoona | $34K | -7% | 270 |
| Johnstown | $31K | -17% | 280 |
Showing 1–10 of 16 metros
Compare to other states
Track cooks, institution and cafeteria salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeterias make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $36,830 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $28,230, and experienced cooks, institution and cafeterias can clear $45,700. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,542/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 53.1% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania 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 $38,781 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.