How much does a cafeteria cook make?
Answer: A typical cafeteria cook in the United States makes $37,450 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 441,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Cafeteria cook pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $28,480 | $37,450 | $49,670 | about 441,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 | about 10,000 |
| Alaska | $48,580 | about 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 | about 7,000 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 | about 2,000 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 | about 1,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experienced cooks and cooks with useful food-safety certificates may earn more. Pay also differs by employer, location, and responsibilities, while school jobs may have fewer working months in a year.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a cafeteria cook do?
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
What's a typical day like?
They check ingredients, follow the day's menu, and cook large batches, adjusting some meals for special diets. Then they portion meals, wash pans and utensils, and clean the kitchen.
How to get this job
In the U.S., cooks usually learn on the job; a high-school diploma or GED may help, but formal schooling is not required. Some places require a food-handler certificate, and apprenticeships are another path, usually for people at least 17.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some U.S. school cafeteria cooks work only during the school year—often about nine or ten months.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Food Preparation and Serving jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/cooks.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/35-2012.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.fns.usda.gov/fs/research/production-systems
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY