Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $48,940 a year, or about $23.53 an hour. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $44,322 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 103.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $49K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About cooks, institution and cafeterias
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level cooks, institution and cafeterias (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $64K or more - a $19K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeterias make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $48,940 a year - that works out to about $23.53 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,390, and experienced cooks, institution and cafeterias can clear $63,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,345/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 104.1% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $44,322 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.