How much does a cafeteria cook make?
a year · about $18 an hour
A typical cafeteria cook in the United States makes $37,450 a year, about $18 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? Some U.S. school cafeteria cooks work only during the school year—often about nine or ten months.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $28,480 and $49,670How do you become one?
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.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($49,670), lowest in Louisiana ($25,490).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| 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 |
Official definition: Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
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